4 ms·
Well, congress has the other legal tool alongside "War", which is to 'grant letters of Marque and Reprisal'. They both grant war, either on a country, or indivi
by kefka 10y ago
Well, congress has the other legal tool alongside "War", which is to 'grant letters of Marque and Reprisal'. They both grant war, either on a country, or individual scale.
The actual quote from the Constitution is thus:
"To declare War, grant Letters of Marque and Reprisal, and make Rules concerning Captures on Land and Water;"
If ISIS isn't a state-level entity (which I believe it is, but does not follow agreed upon definitions of countries) then these Letters of Marque are sufficient if levied against their organization.
- dragonwriter 10y agoLetters of marque aren't an alternative to war for non-state enemies (no such alternative is needed; war precedes the concept of the nation-state). Letters of marque are a means of authorizing private vessels to act as naval auxiliaries (such that they are portrayed by and subject to the laws of war, rather than legally pirates.)