[DeeOhGee]

Nah, the Barbary Pirates were a Naval action. At that time there were separate Naval Departments - for, among other things, protecting America's shipping interests and War Departments for, well, waging war. A Declaration of War was a commitment of the resources of the War Department. A President could order limited Naval actions without a declaration of war.

And it was OBL who said he was waging war against the US because of the troops in Saudi Arabia.

[Darksheare]

"Nah, the Barbary Pirates were a Naval action."

Which was interference with the affairs of other nations.
Other nations had a stake in keeping the Barbary Pirates active.

"And it was OBL who said he was waging war against the US because of the troops in Saudi Arabia."

Really?
I seem to recall he mentioned more than just our troops being in Saudi Arabia.
Fact is, he would have attacked us regardless of whether we had troops in Saudi Arabia or not.
Try again.

[nopardons]

That's when the Marines were begun, so it wasn't just our navy, that was involved. You need to read more history, before you post about things you pretend to be expert in.

Where do you think that the line ".......the shores of Tripoli ", in the Marine anthem comes form?

OBL is still suffering from the Moors' losses in Spain, centuries ago. He has blamed everyone and anyone, who isn't a fanatical Muslim, for the loss of the Caliphate; which he hopes to restore.

[inquest]

A Declaration of War was a commitment of the resources of the War Department. A President could order limited Naval actions without a declaration of war.

Actually, Jefferson did get a declaration of a state of war from Congress. He was unwilling to take anything other than purely defensive actions until he received it.