FAS

Declarations of War: Background and Implications, and More from CRS

09.09.13 | 2 min read | Text by Steven Aftergood

Over the course of American history, Congress has formally enacted 11 declarations of war, as well as a similar number of statutory authorizations for the use of military force.

The differences between these two categories of legislative action, which are quite distinct, are detailed in a Congressional Research Service report that was updated earlier this year. See Declarations of War and Authorizations for the Use of Military Force: Historical Background and Legal Implications, January 11, 2013.

As Congress weighs its response to an Obama Administration request to authorize the use of military force in Syria, another newly updated CRS report provides background on Armed Conflict in Syria: U.S. and International Response, September 6, 2013.

The 52 American diplomatic and military personnel who were taken hostage in Tehran during the Iranian Revolution in 1979 have been unsuccessful in their attempts to recover financial damages from the Government of Iran, but they are still trying. A new CRS report refreshes the story.  See The Iran Hostages: Efforts to Obtain Compensation, September 5, 2013.

Other new and updated CRS reports that Congress has withheld from direct public access include the following.

China’s Economic Rise: History, Trends, Challenges, and Implications for the United States, September 5, 2013

China Naval Modernization: Implications for U.S. Navy Capabilities — Background and Issues for Congress, September 5, 2013

Navy Force Structure and Shipbuilding Plans: Background and Issues for Congress, September 6, 2013

Navy Ford (CVN-78) Class Aircraft Carrier Program: Background and Issues for Congress, September 6, 2013

Sexual Assaults Under the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ): Selected Legislative Proposals, September 6, 2013

Federal Mandatory Minimum Sentencing Statutes, September 9, 2013

publications
See all publications
Environment
Blog
Disaster Policy Nerds Explain the Good, Bad, and Ugly in FEMA Review Council Report

After months of delay, the council tasked by President Trump to review the FEMA released its final report. Our disaster policy nerds have thoughts.

05.21.26 | 8 min read
read more
Global Risk
Press release
Federation of American Scientists, Future of Life Institute Present Converging Risks Report, AI Impact Awards at Gala

FAS and FLI partnered to build a series of convenings and reports across the intersections of artificial intelligence (AI) with biosecurity, cybersecurity, nuclear command and control, military integration, and frontier AI governance. This project brought together leaders across these areas and created a space that was rigorous, transpartisan, and solutions-oriented to approach how we should think about how AI is rapidly changing global risks.

05.20.26 | 9 min read
read more
Emerging Technology
Blog
Closing the Strategic Capital Gap: The Case for Modernizing the Export-Import Bank

Investment should instead be directed at sectors where American technology and innovation exist but the infrastructure to commercialize them domestically does not—and where the national security case is clear.

05.20.26 | 3 min read
read more
Clean Energy
Blog
States Are Plugging into Experimental Electricity Policy to Find Cost-Saving Success

To tune into the action on the ground, we convened practitioners, state and local officials, advocates, and policy experts to discuss what it will actually take to deploy clean energy faster, modernize electricity systems, and lower costs for households.

05.13.26 | 5 min read
read more