why are conflicts over foreign policy common between congress and the president?

Conflicts over foreign policy between Congress and the President are common because the U.S. Constitution divides foreign policy powers between these two branches, creating a system of checks and balances that naturally leads to debates and struggles over authority. Both share responsibility for foreign policy but with different roles: the President is the chief diplomat and commander-in-chief, able to negotiate treaties and direct military actions, while Congress has the exclusive power to declare war, ratify treaties, and control the budget for foreign initiatives. This division often results in disagreements over military operations, funding, treaty approvals, and appropriate use of force, especially when the President and Congressional leadership are from different political parties or have different foreign policy priorities. Additionally, Presidents often have advantages like speed, secrecy, and unified control of the executive branch which can increase tensions when Congress seeks to assert its constitutional authority or curb presidential actions in foreign policy matters. The ongoing "tug of war" between these branches is an institutionalized feature designed to balance power but also a frequent source of conflict.