Since the US is "apparently" at war with ISIS (the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria), should we have a formal Congressional Declaration of War (DAW) against the group, as allowed in the Constitution? It's a reasonable question, even though the proposal is now being put forth by Sen. Rand Paul--not a favorite here.
http://www.nydailynews.com/...
ISIS has, on many occasions, stated it is at war with the USA and urged its combatants in Iraq and Syria and its supporters in Europe and North American to kill Americans. The US is now bombing ISIS targets throughout the middle east--which action I support. Several questions:
***Why just ISIS--why not include Al Queda, Boko Haram and other jihadi groups?
**Would not invoking the War Powers Act, a more limited action, be sufficient?
*Is a DAW necessary, we're getting by with appropriate executive action in this conflict--why elevate it to a "War"?
**A DAW should be directed against a nation--as in WWII DAW v. Japan. ISIS is not a country--it's a rebel movement that has taken over very large parts of two established countries.
Acknowledging the above complications, I'm in favor of a DAW v. ISIS. This is because it will promote enhanced homeland security in the USA. A DAW will clarify the status of ISIS supporters and potential fighters living in the USA. It will become clear to US law enforcement and the courts that any ISIS fighters returning to the USA must be arrested and detained upon arrival and that individuals who join or attempts to join ISIS must likewise be arrested. Further, those US residents who support ISIS would be subject to prosecution--since they would then be supporting the designated enemy (per the DAW).