[Alberta's Child]

It’s only called war if a number of very narrow circumstances have been met. And they are only permitted to participate in war under a similar very narrow set of defined circumstances.

That's an excellent point. I'd add, however, that the U.S. military campaigns in Iraq and Afghanistan probably don't even constitute "warfare" under the legal standards of the United States.

[DieHard the Hunter]

> That’s an excellent point. I’d add, however, that the U.S. military campaigns in Iraq and Afghanistan probably don’t even constitute “warfare” under the legal standards of the United States.

Interesting... what would they be? “Policing actions”, perhaps? That would be my first guess.

[jafojeffsurf]

Congress granted the president (Bush W) the power to do what it takes but they did not sign a deceleration of War so I believe technically it is just a police action on paper. Not a lawyer so there may be another term for it.