> > > > Besides, the President of the United States cannot declare a war.
> > >
> > > Well, as to that I have no information. Perhaps the version I recounted here is overly simplified or just blatantly false.
> >
> > Well, the president can send a limited number of troops as an exectutive order, but only congress can declare war. And, until congress does so, only a small amount of the military can be committed to a particular conflict.
>
> Just out of interest, was a formal declaration of war made in the Gulf War? Or should it be the Gulf Police Action?

To my understanding, it was all fought by the President's order until about two days before it ended, when congress actually declared it a war. But I may be incorrect.

At any rate, I'm nearly positive that war *was* declared.