Abstract
"It was my decision to attempt the rescue operation. The responsibility is fully my own", stated President Carter after the failure of the rescue mission designed to save the American diplomats taken hostages in Iran, six months ago. By recognizing his full liability in this collapse, Carter offers a great illustration of the weight that rests on the shoulders of the American President. Therefore, understanding how the President reaches his decisions is of crucial importance. It implies to look at the decision-making process from two standpoints, to evaluate whether the President has the means to make an informed choice and to assess if his decision can be implemented. It also involves evaluating the balance between formal and informal processes. Examining President Carter's decision to launch a hostage rescue mission, entailed to adopt these prisms so to understand how he was led to consider this operation as the only possible solution of the crisis whereas it was contrary to his convictions and a highly risky operation.
