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Here is what bothers me: it has always been my understanding, under international law and conventions, that a 'declaration of war' may only be made against a 'sovereign state'.
Now, I realize that some, including Mr. Trump and President Obama, have talked about 'war' against ISIS. I will note that President Obama, although he spoke of 'going to war' against ISIS, appears to have actually asked Congress for an Authorization for Use of Military Force (AUMF) against ISIS, which is technically different from a declaration of war. The last time Congress actually passed an Act declaring that a state of war existed between the United States and another recognized country was, I believe, Japan.
For Congress to pass a resolution that a state of war exists between the USA and ISIS would actually given ISIS the status of a 'sovereign state'. No country, to date, has 'recognized' ISIS as a legitimate sovereign entity. For the USA to formally declare a state of war with ISIS is akin to our recognizing ISIS as a legitimate sovereign state, which would mean that the Geneva Convention, as well as other international law, would come into play.
Abraham Lincoln well understood the difference. He used all sorts of linguistic gymnastics to make clear that the USA was not in a 'state of war' against the southern states, since he did not want to 'recognize' the Confederacy as a sovereign state. One slip-up was when he declared a 'blockade' of southern ports, since it was understood, at that time, that a blockade could only be against sovereign states. Jefferson Davis and his people tried their best to get France, England and other countries to 'recognize' the Confederacy (which hope was utterly dashed with Gettysburg).
I believe that in the 60 minutes interview, Leslie was trying, in vain, to ask Mr. Trump about the 'war' question, but she was unable to stop Mr. Trump from talking. I do wish they would publish the whole interview.
Anyway, should Mr. Trump become President, I would imagine that he will be made to understand that it is one thing to ask Congress for a AUMF against the group of people that call themselves ISIS or ISIL or whatever, but quite another to ask Congress for a 'declaration of war'.
I saw that on Face The Nation, I think he was trying to say he'd make Turkey do it (somehow) or other NATO partners because they "don't do enough". The best I could figure he was saying he'd threaten to leave NATO if they don't step up? It was hard to tell.
Not that it makes sense. But that was what I gathered.
I saw him on Face the Nation too. Trump was doing a Palin -- throwing out so much word-salad that it wasn't clear which contradictory statement he meant. Leslie Stall tried to find out what "going to war with ISIS" means, but never got a substantive response. He answered with "we'd have great intelligence" -- which means we'd have more CIA ground forces -- but Trump backed away from that.
Trump has no details or plan. He's the platitude presidential candidate.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by UB50
According to the CNN article:
"I am going to have very few troops on the ground. We're going to have unbelievable intelligence, which we need; which, right now, we don't have. We don't have the people over there," he said.
How does he plan to have "unbelievable intelligence" that we don't have now?
Coming from Donny I believe we will have unbelievable intelligence.
From the 7/17 CBS "60 Minutes" interview of Trump and Pence:
<<
Lesley Stahl: But we did go to war, if you remember. We went to Iraq.
Donald Trump: He's entitled to make a mistake every once in a while.
Lesley Stahl: But she's not?
Donald Trump: No. She's not.>>
And there you have it, Trump has articulated the entire "justification" for the endless Republican pretend "investigations." Rice and Powell and Pence all get a pass for doing exactly the same thing that Clinton did. They are allowed to "make a mistake every once in a while," but Hillary is not.
This interview shows exactly why Trump is so completely unfit for this job. The cult will continue to refuse to see it, but I hope intelligent voters across the country are not as ignorant.
Here is what bothers me: it has always been my understanding, under international law and conventions, that a 'declaration of war' may only be made against a 'sovereign state'.
ISLAMIC. STATE. of IRAQ and SYRIA = ISIS
ISLAMIC. STATE. of IRAQ and The LEVANT = ISIL
Plus, the U.S. can declare war against any entity it pleases, and is not
restricted to "international laws and conventions".
Trump if he gets the war declaration would have no problem drumming
up cooperation with many other states, including Syria itself and Russia.
It is my opinion that ISIS will dissemble or be defeated before Trump
takes office, by the Syrians, Russians and Iranians, or even voluntarily
because if Trump wins, they will know the game is over.
islamic. State. Of iraq and syria = isis
islamic. State. Of iraq and the levant = isil
plus, the u.s. Can declare war against any entity it pleases, and is not
restricted to "international laws and conventions".
Trump if he gets the war declaration would have no problem drumming
up cooperation with many other states, including syria itself and russia.
It is my opinion that isis will dissemble or be defeated before trump
takes office, by the syrians, russians and iranians, or even voluntarily
because if trump wins, they will know the game is over.
Iranian-trained Iraqi Shia militia are in Syria now fighting ISIS. They are very active on the Iraqi front against ISIS.
The Iraqis refuse to arm the Kurds, one of America's best natural allies in the Middle East.
Anything that the U.S. does to defeat ISIS will just make the Shia more powerful, to the consternation of Saudi Arabia. That's why we want ISIS defeated, but want to do it on the cheap and with the loss of the fewest American lives of possible.
Who was the big winner in the George W./Pence/Hillary/Republican Irag War? Iran and the Shia.
The problem is how do you influence the long-term outcome in places like Iraq and Afghanistan without a long-term, expensive military commitment including large numbers of ground troops on the ground. George W. and the Republicans fought the Iraq War on the cheap with disastrous consequences.
Pence and the Republicans have never wanted to pay for such a commitment, and the American people with their hollowed-out economy are sick and tired of playing global policeman.
Hillary and the Democrats apparently have learned this lesson to some degree. Trump, Pence, and most Republicans continue to talk loudly and carry a small stick when it comes to paying for a sustained military effort. Trump compares himself to Teddy Roosevelt, but he's the exact opposite of Roosevelt's "Speak softly and carry a big stick" philosophy.
"I am going to have very few troops on the ground. We're going to have unbelievable intelligence, which we need; which, right now, we don't have. We don't have the people over there," he said.
How does he plan to have "unbelievable intelligence" that we don't have now?
Simple. His own intelligence in his very good brain, which is unbelievable, because it doesn't exist.
Trump apparently doesn't realize that we already have significant forces, even on the ground, already fighting ISIS -- about 500 in Syria and 4,500 in Iraq.
Trump is one scary dude, and I can't believe anybody is seriously considering entrusting the Presidency to him.
hello, McFly... Trump will have military advisors! How much military strategy/knowledge do you think Obama, Al Gore, or Hillary has? Hillary has already shown that she does not care about defending us.
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Trump to declare war on ISIS, but send "very few troops"
