How the US has justified overseas military action

The Associated Press

A look at the legal justifications the U.S. has used for military action around the world:

IRAQ

Congress passed an Authorization for the Use of Military Force in Iraq in 2002, clearing the way for the U.S.-led war in Iraq. The authorization still is on the books but President Barack Obama has called for it to be repealed.

The White House says Obama had the power to authorize the airstrikes currently underway in Iraq through the inherent commander-in-chief powers outlined in the Constitution. Officials also note that Iraq’s sovereign government requested U.S. military assistance to combat Islamic State militants.

AFGHANISTAN

In the days after the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks, Congress passed an Authorization for the Use of Military Force that was meant to give President George W. Bush the ability to go after al-Qaida in Afghanistan.

PAKISTAN, YEMEN and SOMALIA

The Bush and Obama administrations both have used the 2001 force authorization to justify drone strikes against terror targets in Pakistan, Yemen and Somalia. The U.S. also has back-channel consent for the strikes from Pakistan’s government and a more overt agreement with Yemen.

LIBYA

Obama did not seek congressional approval when the U.S. joined NATO allies in a 2011 bombing campaign in Libya. Officials argued that the nature of the mission, which did not involve U.S. combat troops and was commanded by NATO, did not require congressional authorization.

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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