Keep Factually independent

Whether you agree or disagree with our analysis, these conversations matter for democracy. We don't take money from political groups - even a $5 donation helps us keep it that way.

Loading...Time left: ...
Loading...Goal: $500

Fact check: How many air strikes has joe Biden authorized

Checked on June 28, 2025

1. Summary of the results

Based on the analyses provided, no source contains a specific numerical count of airstrikes authorized by President Joe Biden. The available information reveals several documented instances of military action:

  • Syria strike on Iran-backed militias - described as the first military action undertaken by the Biden administration [1]
  • Strikes on Iranian-aligned groups following attacks on US troops in Iraq [2]
  • Various military conflicts and decisions involving Biden's use of military power, including drone strikes and airstrikes [3]

The sources consistently discuss Biden's authorization of military strikes in Middle East contexts, particularly targeting Iran-backed militias and Iranian-aligned groups [4] [2] [1]. However, none provide the comprehensive numerical data needed to answer the original question definitively.

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

The original question lacks crucial context about policy changes and operational frameworks under the Biden administration:

  • New rules governing lethal strikes outside recognized warzones have been implemented, requiring presidential approval before drone strikes or commando raids can be launched [5]
  • The Biden administration has signaled limits on US reliance on drone strikes, representing a potential shift from previous administrations [5]
  • There's ongoing congressional oversight concerns, with lawmakers pressing Biden to get Congress' approval for Middle East airstrikes [4]

Alternative perspectives on military action authorization:

  • Congressional progressives have expressed upset over Biden's use of military power in regions like Yemen [3]
  • Civil liberties organizations like the ACLU have commented on the administration's drone strike policies [6]
  • International law experts have criticized drone strikes as unlawful and counterproductive in suppressing terrorism [7]

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The original question, while straightforward, assumes comprehensive tracking and public disclosure of all presidential military authorizations exists. This assumption may be problematic because:

  • Presidential military actions have become routine without detailed public accounting [8]
  • The question implies there should be a readily available, specific number when operational security and classification issues may prevent complete public disclosure
  • The framing suggests simple quantification of complex military decisions that involve various types of operations, targets, and legal frameworks

The question also lacks temporal boundaries - it doesn't specify whether it's asking about Biden's entire presidency, specific conflicts, or particular time periods, which could lead to incomplete or misleading answers even if numerical data were available.

Want to dive deeper?
What is the criteria for Joe Biden to authorize air strikes?
How many civilian casualties have occurred from air strikes authorized by Joe Biden?
In which countries has Joe Biden authorized air strikes since taking office in 2021?
How does Joe Biden's air strike authorization compare to that of previous US presidents?
What role does Congress play in overseeing Joe Biden's air strike authorization?