Tuesday, September 16, 2014

No war, at least on paper: Islamic State mission joins list of undeclared US wars

http://www.stripes.com/news/no-war-at-least-on-paper-islamic-state-mission-j
oins-list-of-undeclared-us-wars-1.303186


One thing we have definitely learned during the past six years is that the War Powers Resolution of 1973 was only intended to restrain Republican Presidents. Also what the article doesn't mention is that nuclear weapons
changed America's perception about what it meant to declare war. Declaring war post 1945 seemed to imply to many that nuclear weapons might be used against the enemy. Especially in light of the Eisenhower administration's stated policy of "massive retaliation" in the event of an attack against the USA or its NATO allies by  the Soviet Union. Many of America's leaders, including President Eisenhower, felt inexplicable guilt about using atomic bombs to end the war against Japan. Consequently America's leaders, both Conservative and Liberal, became reluctant to declare war in situations where the survival of the country was not perceived to be at stake. NOT making a formal declaration of war seems to imply that the use of nuclear weapons will not be considered. Regardless of American sentiments on the matter, in reality it has become apparent to the rest of the world that America will probably never use nuclear weapons unless either nukes are used on it first or unless it faces conquest by an invading army. Even then there is room for doubt since so many of America's ruling elite rules constantly call for the abolition of nuclear weapons. That makes aggressive nation feel
more free to test America's resolve when it comes to protecting its' political and economic interests abroad.

By Epictetus

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