[Demidog]

If it is OK to punish criminals domestically at taxpayers' expense for the protection of a single citizen, then it is equally OK to retaliate on foreign soil for the same.

No it is not the same. Because everyone in the country pays and expects protection from criminals (not that they get it).

One cannot expect to go abroad and receive protection from the United States and one cannot expect retaliation. Otherwise every mugged American in Paris could bring down war on the Country of France. Absurd.

Furthermore, the only authorization in the Constution for the use of our military is to repel invasions, enforce federal laws and put down insurrection. End of list.

[annalex]

See #105. One cannot expect retaliation abroad, but the retaliation is justified if the government finds it in the national interest to retaliate.

If I get mugged in Paris and the French police fails to defend me, I can ask the US government to retaliate. The retaliation of the US government would be morally justified. It may or may not choose to retaliate based on the national interest.

Exxon's ownership of oil installations abroad is in the national interest.