Mary Baldwin College, Staunton VA 24401
by Prof. Gordon L. Bowen, Ph.D.
Presidential use of the war power has not been constrained very much by the existence of the War Powers Resolution. Twenty-one reports were filed with Congress, 1973-1990, pursuant to that Resolution. This set appears immediately below in reverse chronological order below. One in this set was formally authorized by the Congress, in Lebanon (1983-84). At the bottom of this set, a list of 42 additional reports submitted to the Congress "consistent with the War Powers" law, 1990 - March 2004, is reproduced. Three of these uses of military power were formally authorized by the Congress: the Persian Gulf War of 1991, the War on Terrorism (2001 - ), and the War on Iraq (2003 - ). Thus, many major U.S. military engagements --e.g. the war against Yugoslavia over Kosovo in 1999-- have continued to be authorized by Presidential authority alone.
1. On December 20, 1989, President Bush notified the leaders of both houses of the U.S. Congress that he had dispatched 12,000 troops to restore democracy in Panama and to arrest Gen. Manuel Noriega, de facto ruler of that nation, on criminal charges of drug trafficking and money laundering. In the week before this decision, one U.S. serviceman on duty in Panama had been shot dead and another had been reported to have been badly beaten by Noriega's army, the Panama Defense Forces.
2. On December 2, 1989, President Bush wrote to Congressional leaders informing them of his decision to order two U.S. F-4 fighter bombers based in the Philippines to protect the Aquino Government there, and of his authorization for these planes to attack rebels. While administration spokesmen stated then that "we don't accept the constitutionality of the [War Powers] resolution," the report that was provided to the Congress contained virtually the identical information required by that law (Collier 1989: 3).
3. On July 14, 1988, President Reagan reported to Congress that U.S. boats and helicopters engaged in gunfire with Iranian boats in the Persian Gulf.
4. On July 4, 1988, President Reagan reported to Congress that, "consistent with the War Powers Resolution," the USS Vincennes and the USS Elmer Montgomery sank two Iranian boats and shot down a civilian Iranian airliner.
5. On April 19, 1988, President Reagan again reported that, "consistent with the War Powers Resolution," five days earlier the USS Samuel B. Roberts had struck a mine in the Persian Gulf and had attacked and destroyed two Iranian oil platforms in retaliation, but that these actions were then completed.
6. On October 20, 1987, President Reagan reported that, "consistent with the War Powers Resolution," the U.S. armed forces had destroyed an Iranian oil platform in the Persian Gulf.
7. Ten days earlier, on October 10, he used the same language to report on U.S. responses to Iranian attacks, responses that had led to the sinking of an Iranian boat.
8. On September 23, 1987, Reagan reported to Congress that U.S. forces had fired on an Iranian boat laying mines in the Persian Gulf on September 21. The War Powers Act was not mentioned in this report.
9. On April 16, 1986, President Reagan reported to Congress on the air strike against Libya he ordered in retaliation for Libyan involvement in the bombing of a nightclub in West Berlin which killed one U.S. soldier.
10. On March 26, 1986, without mentioning the War Powers Act, Reagan reported that on March 24 and 25, U.S. naval forces in the Gulf of Sidra had responded to Libyan attacks by launching missiles at Libyan forces.
11. On October 25, 1983, President Reagan reported on the use of 1900 U.S. forces to invade and occupy the tiny Caribbean island of Grenada. All U.S. combat forces were withdrawn by December 15 (i.e., ten days before the time limit the War Powers Resolution might be thought to have imposed).
12. On August 30, 1983, President Reagan reported to Congress that Marine peacekeepers in Beirut, Lebanon had come under hostile fire, killing two Marines the previous day. Authorizing legislation subsequently passed Congress and was signed by President Reagan (i.e., "The Multinational Force in Lebanon" legislation, effective October 12, 1983). It explictly specified that Section 4(a)(1) of the War Powers Resolution applied, even though Reagan, in his speech at the time of its signing, contended that the War Powers Resolution had no legal effect (Wormuth: 263-264). The 1983 legislation authorized an 18 month commitment of U.S. forces. However, U.S. troops actually were withdrawn in less than four months (February 1984).
13. On August 8, 1983, President Reagan reported that two U.S. AWACS and eight F-15 aircraft had been sent to Chad to assist that nation repel aggression from Libya.
14. On September 29, 1982, President Reagan reported that "consistent with the War Powers Resolution," he had deployed 1200 Marines to Lebanon as part of an effort to restore the sovereignty of the government of Lebanon. Contrary to the terms of the War Powers legislation, these U.S. forces long remained in an area where many believed hostilities toward them were imminent. For example, a car bomb attacked U.S. diplomatic personnel and Marine Guards at the U.S. embassy in Beirut, killing 63, in Spring 1983.
15. On August 24, 1982, President Reagan reported to Congress that he had dispatched 800 Marines to Beirut, Lebanon to serve as part of a multinational force overseeing the evacuation of Palestine Liberation Organization ( PLO ) from Lebanon. Shortly after the PLO set sail, U.S. Marines departed.
16. On March 19, 1982, President Reagan reported to Congress the deployment of U.S. military personnel to the Sinai area of Egypt to assist in the process of normalization of borders between Israel and Egypt.
17. On April 26, 1980, President Carter reported to Congress on an unsuccessful attempt to use U.S. armed forces to rescue American diplomats held hostage in Iran.
18. On May 15, 1975, President Ford reported to Congress that he had ordered U.S. forces to rescue the crew of, and retake the U.S. merchant ship Mayaguez, which had been seized by Cambodian naval forces. Forty U.S. Marines died. Only later was it learned that the Mayaguez and its crew of 38 American civilians had been released prior to the U.S. Marines' costly raid (LaFeber: 282).
19. On April 30, 1975, President Ford reported that he had authorized U.S. armed forces to assist in the evacuation of U.S. citizens and others from southern Vietnam.
20. On April 12, 1975, President Ford reported to the Congress that he had authorized U.S. forces to assist in the evacuation of U.S. nationals from Cambodia in the face of an imminent victory by the Khmer Rouge, the Cambodian communists' rebel army.
21. On April 4, 1975, President Ford notified the Congress that he had directed U.S. armed forces to participate in an international relief effort to attempt to evacuate refugees from the southern Vietnamese city of Da Nang and other areas likely to soon fall into the hands of hostile armies.
1990 -2004:
Between 1990 and 2004, reports to the Congress "consistent with the War Powers Resolution" were sent on 42 additional occasions, and U.S. armed forces were deployed into areas of imminent hostilities on even more occasions. Thirteen of these reports were sent by Pres. Bill Clinton; 28 were sent by Pres. George W. Bush. Counting events in which a formal report of some kind was sent by the executive to the Congress, whether or not the War Powers Act was mentioned, 104 more events equivalent to the ones listed above occurred. Many of these were evacuations of citizens from chaotic situations in various parts of Africa, but some were major military interventions fully authorized by Congress. Of these military responses to events, 10 took place under Pres. George H. W. Bush, 65 took place under Pres. Clinton, and 29 took place under Pres. George W. Bush.
The list from which the War Powers Resolution reports to Congress were tallied is to be found within a longer study by Grimmett, cited below. The list of these 41 reports was extracted from Grimmett, and is reproduced below:
1. 1991 -- Iraq. On January 18, 1991, President Bush reported that he had directed US armed forces to commence combat operations on January 16 against Iraqi forces and military targets in Iraq and Kuwait, in conjunction with a coalition of allies and UN Security Council resolutions. On January 12 Congress had passed the Authorization for Use of Military Force against Iraq Resolution (P.L. 102-1). Combat operations were suspended on February 28, 1991.
2. 1999 -- Yugoslavia/Albania. On May 25, 1999, President Clinton reported to Congress, "consistent with the war Powers Resolution" that he had directed "deployment of additional aircraft and forces to support NATO's ongoing efforts [against Yugoslavia], including several thousand additional US Armed Forces personnel to Albania in support of the deep strike force located there." He also directed that additional US forces be deployed to the region to assist in "humanitarian operations."
3. 1999 -- Yugoslavia/Kosovo. On June 12, 1999, President Clinton reported to Congress, "consistent with the War Powers Resolution" that he had directed the deployment of about "7,000 US military personnel as the US contribution to the approximately 50,000-member, NATO-led security force (KFOR)" currently being assembled in Kosovo. He also noted that about "1,500 US military personnel, under separate US command and control, will deploy to other countries in the region, as our national support element, in support of KFOR."
4. 1999 -- Bosnia. On July 19, 1999, President Clinton reported to Congress "consistent with the War Powers Resolution" that about 6,200 US military personnel were continuing to participate in the NATO-led Stabilization Force (SFOR) in Bosnia, and that another 2,200 personnel were supporting SFOR operations from Hungary, Croatia, and Italy. He also noted that US military personnel remain in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia to support the international security presence in Kosovo (KFOR).
5. 1999 -- East Timor. On October 8, 1999, President Clinton reported to Congress "consistent with the War Powers Resolution" that he had directed the deployment of a limited number of US military forces to East Timor to support the U.N. multinational force (INTERFET) aimed at restoring peace to East Timor. US support has been limited initially to "communications, logistics, planning assistance and transportation." The President further noted that he had authorized deployment of the amphibious ship USS Belleau Wood, together with its helicopters and her complement of personnel from the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) (MEU SOC) to the East Timor region, to provide helicopter airlift and search and rescue support to the multinational operation. US participation was anticipated to continue until the transition to a UN peacekeeping operation was complete.
6. 1999 -- Yugoslavia/Kosovo. On December 15, 1999, President Clinton reported to Congress "consistent with the War Powers Resolution" that U.S. combat-equipped military personnel continued to serve as part of the NATO-led security force in Kosovo (KFOR). He noted that the American contribution to KFOR in Kosovo was "approximately 8,500 US military personnel." US forces were deployed in a sector centered around "Urosevac in the eastern portion of Kosovo." For US KFOR forces, "maintaining public security is a key task." Other US military personnel are deployed to other countries in the region to serve in administrative and logistics support roles for US forces in KFOR. Of these forces, about 1,500 US military personnel are in Macedonia and Greece, and occasionally in Albania.
7. 2000 -- Bosnia. On January 25, 2000, President Clinton reported to Congress "consistent with the War Powers Resolution" that the US continued to provide combat-equipped US Armed Forces to Bosnia-Herzegovina and other states in the region as part of the NATO led Stabilization Force (SFOR). The President noted that the US force contribution was being reduced from "approximately 6,200 to 4,600 personnel," with the US forces assigned to Multinational Division, North, centered around the city of Tuzla. He added that approximately 1,500 US military personnel were deployed to Hungary, Croatia, and Italy to provide "logistical and other support to SFOR," and that US forces continue to support SFOR in "efforts to apprehend persons indicted for war crimes."
8. 2000 -- East Timor. On February 25, 2000, President Clinton reported to Congress "consistent with the War Powers Resolution" that he had authorized the participation of a small number of US military personnel in support of the United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor (UNTAET), which has a mandate to maintain law and order throughout East Timor, and to facilitate establishment of an effective administration there, delivery of humanitarian assistance and support the building of self-government. The President reported that the US contingent was small: three military observers, and one judge advocate. To facilitate and coordinate US military activities in East Timor, the President also authorized the deployment of a support group (USGET), consisting of 30 US personnel. US personnel would be temporarily deployed to East Timor, on a rotational basis, and through periodic ship visits, during which US forces would conduct "humanitarian and assistance activities throughout East Timor." Rotational activities should continue through the summer of 2000.
9. 2000 -- Sierra Leone. On May 12, 2000, President Clinton, "consistent with the War Powers Resolution" reported to Congress that he had ordered a US Navy patrol craft to deploy to Sierra Leone to be ready to support evacuation operations from that country if needed. He also authorized a US C-17 aircraft to deliver "ammunition, and other supplies and equipment" to Sierra Leone in support of United Nations peacekeeping operations there.
10. 2000 -- Yugoslavia/Kosovo. On June 16, 2000, President Clinton reported to Congress, "consistent with the War Powers Resolution," that the US was continuing to provide military personnel to the NATO-led KFOR security force in Kosovo. US forces were numbered at 7,500, but were scheduled to be reduced to 6,000 when ongoing troop rotations were completed. US forces in Kosovo are assigned to a sector centered near Gnjilane in eastern Kosovo. Other US military personnel are deployed to other countries serving in administrative and logistics support roles, with approximately 1,000 US personnel in Macedonia, Albania and Greece.
11. 2000 -- Bosnia. On July 25, 2000, President Clinton reported to Congress, "consistent with the War Powers Resolution," that combat-equipped US military personnel continued to participate in the NATO-led Stabilization Force (SFOR) in Bosnia-Herzegovina, being deployed to Bosnia, and other states in the region in support of peacekeeping efforts in former Yugoslavia. US military personnel levels have been reduced from 6,200 to 4,600. Apart from the forces in Bosnia, approximately 1,000 US personnel continue to be deployed in support roles in Hungary, Croatia, and Italy.
12. 2000 -- East Timor. On August 25, 2000, President Clinton reported to Congress," consistent with the War Powers Resolution," that the United States was currently contributing three military observers to the United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor (UNTAET) that is charged by the UN with restoring and maintaining peace and security there. He also noted that the US was maintaining a military presence in East Timor separate from UNTAET, comprised of about 30 US personnel who facilitate and coordinate US military activities in East Timor and rotational operations of US forces there. US forces currently conduct humanitarian and civic assistance activities for East Timor's citizens. US rotational presence operations in East Timor are presently expected, the President said, to continue through December 2000.
13. 2000 -- Yemen. On October 14, 2000, President Clinton reported to Congress, "consistent with the War Powers Resolution," that on October 12, 2000, in the wake of an attack on the USS Cole in the port of Aden, Yemen, he had authorized deployment of about 45 military personnel from US Naval Forces Central Command to Aden to provide "medical, security, and disaster response assistance." The President further reported that on October 13, 2000 about 50 US military security personnel arrived in Aden, and that additional "security elements" may be deployed to the area, to enhance the ability of the US to ensure the security of the USS Cole and the personnel responding to the incident. In addition, two US Navy surface combatant vessels are operating in or near Yemeni territorial waters to provide communications and other support, as required.
14. 2000 -- Yugoslavia/Kosovo. On December 18, 2000, President Clinton reported to Congress, "consistent with the War Powers Resolution," that the United States was continuing to provide approximately 5,600 US military personnel in support of peacekeeping efforts in Kosovo as part of the NATO-led international security force in Kosovo (KFOR). An additional 500 US military personnel are deployed as the National Support Element in Macedonia, with an occasional presence in Albania and Greece. US forces are assigned to a sector centered around Gnjilane in the eastern portion of Kosovo. The President noted that the mission for these US military forces is maintaining a safe and secure environment through conducting "security patrols in urban areas and in the countryside throughout their sector."
15. 2001 -- East Timor. On March 2, 2001, President George W. Bush reported to Congress, "consistent with the War Powers Resolution," that US armed forces were continuing to support the United Nations peacekeeping effort in East Timor aimed at providing security and maintaining law and order in East Timor, coordinating delivery of humanitarian assistance, and helping establish the basis for self-government in East Timor. The US currently has three military observers attached to the United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor (UNTAET). The United States also has a separate military presence, the US Support Group East Timor (USGET), of approximately 12 US personnel, including a security detachment, which "facilitates and coordinates" US military activities in East Timor.
16. 2001 -- Yugoslavia/Kosovo. On May 18, 2001, President George W. Bush reported to Congress, "consistent with the War Powers Resolution," that the United States was continuing to provide approximately 6,000 US military personnel in support of peacekeeping efforts in Kosovo as part of the NATO-led international security force in Kosovo (KFOR). An additional 500 US military personnel are deployed as the National Support Element in Macedonia, with an occasional presence in Greece and Albania. US forces in Kosovo are assigned to a sector centered around Gnjilane in the eastern portion. President Bush noted that the mission for these US military forces is maintaining a safe and secure environment through conducting security patrols in urban areas and in the countryside through their sector.
17. 2001 -- Bosnia. On July 25, 2001, President George W. Bush reported to Congress, "consistent with the War Powers Resolution, about 3,800 combat-equipped US Armed Forces continued to be deployed in Bosnia-Herzegovina, and other regional states as part of the NATO-led Stabilization Force (SFOR). Most were based at Tuzla in Bosnia. About 500 others were based in Hungary, Croatia, and Italy, providing logistical and other support.
18. 2001 -- East Timor. On August 31, 2001, President George W. Bush reported to Congress, "consistent with the War Powers Resolution," that US armed forces were continuing to support the United Nations peacekeeping effort in East Timor aimed at providing security and maintaining law and order in East Timor, coordinating delivery of humanitarian assistance, and helping establish the basis for self-government in East Timor. The US currently has three military observers attached to the United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor (UNTAET). The United States also has a separate military presence, the US Support Group East Timor (USGET), of approximately 20 US personnel, including a security detachment, which "facilitates and coordinates" US military activities in East Timor, as well as a rotational presence of US forces through temporary deployments to East Timor. The President stated that US forces would continue a presence through December 2001, while options for a US presence in 2002 are being reviewed, with the President's objective being redeployment of USGET personnel, as circumstances permit.
19. 2001 -- Terrorism threat. On September 24, 2001, President George W. Bush reported to Congress, "consistent with the War Powers Resolution," and "Senate Joint Resolution 23" that in response to terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon he had ordered the "deployment of various combat-equipped and combat support forces to a number of foreign nations in the Central and Pacific Command areas of operations." The President noted in efforts to "prevent and deter terrorism" he might find it necessary to order additional forces into these and other areas of the world...." He stated that he could not now predict "the scope and duration of these deployments," or the "actions necessary to counter the terrorist threat to the United States."
20. 2001 -- Afghanistan. On October 9, 2001, President George W. Bush reported to Congress, "consistent with the War Powers Resolution," and "Senate Joint Resolution 23" that on October 7, 2001, US Armed Forces "began combat action in Afghanistan against Al Qaida terrorists and their Taliban supporters." The President stated that he had directed this military action in response to the September 11, 2001 attacks on US "territory, our citizens, and our way of life, and to the continuing threat of terrorist acts against the United States and our friends and allies." This military action was "part of our campaign against terrorism" and was "designed to disrupt the use of Afghanistan as a terrorist base of operations."
21. 2001 -- Yugoslavia/Kosovo. On November 19, 2001, President George W. Bush reported to Congress, "consistent with the War Powers Resolution," that the United States was continuing to provide approximately 5,500 US military personnel in support of peacekeeping efforts in Kosovo as part of the NATO-led international security force in Kosovo (KFOR). An additional 500 US military personnel are deployed as the National Support Element in Macedonia, with an occasional presence in Greece and Albania. US forces in Kosovo are assigned to a sector centered around Gnjilane in the eastern portion. President Bush noted that the mission for these US military forces is maintaining a safe and secure environment through conducting security patrols in urban areas and in the countryside through their sector.
22. 2002 -- Bosnia. On January 21, 2002, President George W. Bush reported to Congress, "consistent with the War Powers Resolution," that about 3,100 combat-equipped US Armed Forces continued to be deployed in Bosnia-Herzegovina, and other regional states as part of the NATO-led Stabilization Force (SFOR). Most American forces were based at Tuzla in Bosnia. About 500 others were based in Hungary, Croatia, and Italy, providing logistical and other support.
23. 2002 -- East Timor. On February 28, 2002, President George W. Bush reported to Congress, "consistent with the War Powers Resolution," that US Armed Forces were continuing to support the United Nations peacekeeping effort in East Timor aimed at providing security and maintaining law and order in East Timor, coordinating delivery of humanitarian assistance, and helping establish the basis for self-government in East Timor. The United States currently has three military observers attached to the United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor (UNTAET). The United States also has a separate military presence, the US Support Group East Timor (USGET), comprised of approximately 10 US personnel, including a security detachment, which "facilitates and coordinates" US military activities in East Timor, as well as a rotational presence of US forces through temporary deployments to East Timor. The President stated that US forces would continue a presence through 2002. The President noted his objective was to gradually reduce the "rotational presence operations," and to redeploy USGET personnel, as circumstances permitted.
24. 2002 -- Terrorism threat. On March 20, 2002, President George W. Bush reported to Congress, "consistent with the War Powers Resolution,"on US efforts in the "global war on Terrorism." He noted that the "heart of the al-Qaeda training capability" had been "seriously degraded," and that the remainder of the Taliban and the al-Qaeda fighters were being "actively pursued and engaged by the US, coalition and Afghan forces." The US was also conducting "maritime interception operations...to locate and detain suspected al-Qaeda or Taliban leadership fleeing Afghanistan by sea." At the Philippine Government's invitation, the President had ordered deployed "combat-equipped and combat support forces to train with, advise, and assist" the Philippines' Armed Forces in enhancing their "existing counterterrorist capabilities." The strength of US military forces working with the Philippines was projected to be 600 personnel. The President noted that he was "assessing options" for assisting other nations, including Georgia and Yemen, in enhancing their "counterterrorism capabilities, including training and equipping their armed forces." He stated that US combat-equipped and combat support forces would be necessary for these efforts, if undertaken.
25. 2002 -- Yugoslavia/Kosovo. On May 17, 2002, President George W. Bush reported to Congress, "consistent with the War Powers Resolution," that the US military was continuing to support peacekeeping efforts of the NATO-led international security force in Kosovo (KFOR). He noted that the current US contribution was about 5,100 military personnel, and an additional 468 personnel in Macedonia; with an occasional presence in Albania and Greece.
26. 2002 -- Bosnia. On July 22, 2002, President George W. Bush reported to Congress, "consistent with the War Powers Resolution," that the US military was continuing to support peacekeeping efforts of the NATO-led Stabilization Force (SFOR) in Bosnia-Herzegovina and other regional states. He noted that the current US contribution was "approximately 2,400 personnel." Most US forces in Bosnia-Herzegovina are assigned to the Multinational Division, North headquartered in Tuzla. An additional 60 US military personnel are deployed to Hungary and Croatia to provide logistical and other support.
27. 2002 -- Terrorism threat. On September 20, 2002, President Bush reported to Congress "consistent with the War Powers Resolution," that US "combat-equipped and combat support forces" have been deployed to the Philippines since January 2002 to train with, assist and advise the Philippines' Armed Forces in enhancing their "counterterrorist capabilities." He added that US forces were conducting maritime interception operations in the Central and European Command areas to combat movement, arming or financing of "international terrorists." He also noted that US combat personnel had been deployed to Georgia and Yemen to help enhance the "counterterrorist capabilities" of their armed forces.
28. 2002 -- Cote d'Ivoire. On September 26, 2002, President Bush reported to Congress "consistent with the War Powers Resolution," that in response to a rebellion in Cote d'Ivoire that he had on September 25, 2002 sent US military personnel into Cote d'Ivoire to assist in the evacuation of American citizens and third country nationals from the city of Bouake; and otherwise assist in other evacuations as necessary.
29. 2002 -- Yugoslavia/Kosovo. On November 15, 2002, the President reported to Congress "consistent with the War Powers Resolution" that the US was continuing to deploy combat equipped military personnel as part of the NATO-led international security force in Kosovo (KFOR). Currently there are approximately 4,350 US military personnel in Kosovo, with an additional 266 military personnel in Macedonia. The United States also has an occasional presence in Albania and Greece, associated with the KFOR mission.
30. 2003 -- Bosnia. On January 21, 2003, President George W. Bush reported to Congress, "consistent with the War Powers Resolution," that about 1,800 US Armed Forces personnel continued to be deployed in Bosnia-Herzegovina, and other regional states as part of the NATO-led Stabilization Force (SFOR). Most were based at Tuzla in Bosnia. About 80 others were based in Hungary and Croatia, providing logistical and other support.
31. 2003 -- Terrorism threat. On March 20, 2003, President Bush reported to Congress, "consistent with the War Powers Resolution," as well as P.L. 107-40, and "pursuant to" his authority as Commander-in-Chief, that he had continued a number of US military operations globally in the war against terrorism. These military operations included ongoing US actions against al-Qaeda fighters in Afghanistan; collaborative anti-terror operations with forces of Pakistan in the Pakistan/Afghanistan border area; "maritime interception operations on the high seas" in areas of responsibility of the Central and European Commands to prevent terrorist movement and other activities; and military support for the armed forces of Georgia and Yemen in counter-terrorism operations.
32. 2003 -- Iraq War. On March 21, 2003, President Bush reported to Congress, "consistent with the War Powers Resolution," as well as P.L. 102-1 and P.L. 107-243, and "pursuant to" his authority as Commander-in-Chief, that he had "directed US Armed Forces, operating with other coalition forces, to commence operations on March 19, 2003, against Iraq." He further stated that it was not possible to know at present the duration of active combat operations or the scope necessary to accomplish the goals of the operation "to disarm Iraq in pursuit of peace, stability, and security both in the Gulf region and in the United States."
33. 2003 -- Yugoslavia/Kosovo. On May 14, 2003, President Bush reported to Congress, "consistent with the War Powers Resolution," that combat-equipped US military personnel continued to be deployed as part of the NATO-led international security force in Kosovo (KFOR). He noted that about 2,250 US military personnel were deployed in Kosovo, and additional military personnel operated, on occasion, from Macedonia, Albania, and Greece in support of KFOR operations.
34. 2003 -- Liberia. On June 9, 2003, President Bush reported to Congress, "consistent with the War Powers Resolution," that on June 8 he had sent about 35 combat-equipped US military personnel into Monrovia, Liberia, to augment US Embassy security forces, to aid in the possible evacuation of US citizens if necessary. The President also noted that he had sent about 34 combat-equipped US military personnel to help secure the US Embassy in Nouakchott, Mauritania, and to assist in evacuation of American citizens if required. They were expected to arrive at the US embassy by June 10, 2003. Back-up and support personnel were sent to Dakar, Senegal, to aid in any necessary evacuation from either Liberia or Mauritania.
35. 2003 -- Bosnia. On July 22, 2003, President Bush reported to Congress, "consistent with the War Powers Resolution," that the United States continued to provide about 1,800 combat-equipped military personnel in Bosnia-Herzegovina in support of NATO's Stabilization Force (SFOR) and its peacekeeping efforts in this country.
36. 2003 -- Liberia. On August 13, 2003, President Bush reported to Congress, "consistent with the War Powers Resolution," that in response to conditions in Liberia, on August 11, 2003, he had authorized about 4,350 US combat-equipped military personnel to enter Liberian territorial waters in support of UN and West African States efforts to restore order and provide humanitarian assistance in Liberia.
37. 2003 -- Terrorism threat. On September 19, 2003, President Bush reported to Congress "consistent with the War Powers Resolution," that US "combat-equipped and combat support forces" continue to be deployed at a number of locations around the world as part of US anti-terrorism efforts. American forces support anti-terrorism efforts in the Philippines, and maritime interception operations continue on the high seas in the Central, European, and Pacific Command areas of responsibility, to "prevent the movement, arming, or financing of international terrorists." He also noted that "US combat equipped and support forces" had been deployed to Georgia and Djibouti to help in enhancing their "counterterrorist capabilities."
38. 2003 -- Yugoslavia/Kosovo. On November 14, 2003, the President reported to Congress "consistent with the War Powers Resolution" that the United States was continuing to deploy combat equipped military personnel as part of the NATO-led international security force in Kosovo (KFOR). Currently there are approximately 2,100 US military personnel in Kosovo, with additional American military personnel operating out of Macedonia, Albania and Greece, in support of KFOR operations.
39. 2004 -- Bosnia. On January 22, 2004, the President reported to Congress "consistent with the War Powers Resolution" that the United States was continuing to deploy combat equipped military personnel to Bosnia and Herzegovina in support of NATO's Stabilization Force (SFOR) and its peacekeeping efforts in this country. About 1,800 US personnel are participating.
40. 2004 -- Haiti. On February 25, 2004, the President reported to Congress "consistent with the War Powers Resolution" that, on February 23, he had sent a combat-equipped "security force" of about "55 US military personnel from the US Joint Forces Command" to Port-au- Prince, Haiti to augment the US Embassy security forces there and to protect American citizens and property in light of the instability created by the armed rebellion in Haiti.
41. 2004 -- Haiti. On March 2, 2004, the President reported to Congress "consistent with the War Powers Resolution" that on February 29 he had sent about "200 additional US combat-equipped, military personnel from the US Joint Forces Command" to Port-au-Prince, Haiti for a variety of purposes, including preparing the way for a UN Multinational Interim Force, and otherwise supporting UN Security Council Resolution 1529 (2004).
42. 2004 -- Terrorism: Bosnia and Haiti. On March 20, 2004, the President reported to Congress "consistent with the War Powers Resolution," a consolidated report giving details of multiple on-going United States military deployments and operations "in support of the global war on terrorism (including in Afghanistan)," as well as operations in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, and Haiti. In this report, the President noted that US anti-terror related activities were underway in Georgia, Djibouti, Kenya, Ethiopia, Yemen, and Eritrea. He further noted that US combat-equipped military personnel continued to be deployed in Kosovo as part of the NATO-led KFOR (1,900 personnel); in Bosnia and Herzegovina as part of the NATO-led SFOR (about 1,100 personnel); and approximately 1,800 military personnel were deployed in Haiti as part of the UN Multinational Interim Force.
Sources:
Gordon L. Bowen, "War Powers Resolution," The Seventies in America (Pasadena, CA: Salem Press, 2006).
Ellen C. Collier, "The War Powers Resolution: Presidential Compliance," Congressional Research Service Study No. IB81050 (Washington DC: Library of Congress/CRS, December 4, 1989): 14pp.
Richard F. Grimmett, "Instances of Use of United States Armed Forces Abroad, 1798 - 2004," Congressional Research Service Study (Washington DC: Library of Congress/CRS, October 5, 2004): http://www.history.navy.mil/library/online/forces.htm
Walter LaFeber, America, Russia and the Cold War, 1945-1984 fifth edition (NY: Knopf, 1985).
Francis D. Wormuth and Edwin B. Firmage, To Chain the Dog of War: The War Power of Congress in History and law (Dallas TX: Southern Methodist University Press, 1986).