Why the U.S. is unlikely to go to 'war' with Russia.

When was the last time America was at war? If you thought it was Afghanistan or Iraq, you'd be wrong. The United States has only gone to war 5x. If that seems way off, you might be thinking of the 102x America has been involved in a conflict or rebellion that weren't 'wars.'

'War' is a legal term. Under the Constitution, Congress has the exclusive power to declare it. So no matter how a President or others might term military involvement, if Congress doesn't make a declaration--it isn't 'war'. Take a look at the 5x that were wars.

It wasn't long after independence that America went back to war with Britain. The War of 1812 is thus sometimes referred to as the “Second War of Independence.” Britain and France had been at it for many years. America tried to stay neutral, but Britain forced their hand.

Texas declared independence from Mexico in 1836--this is where the famous 'remember the Alamo' came from. Mexico never recognized the defeat though. When America annexed Texas a decade later, tensions escalated. In a close vote, America went to war with Mexico, lasting two years.

What began as a war between Spain and Cuba for Cuban independence spun out into a war between the United States and Spain. America entered the fray after the mysterious sinking of the warship Maine in Havana harbor on February 15, 1898. The war was over in just eight months.

Congress declared war 3x during WWI--against Germany, Austria, and Hungary respectively. Wilson wasn't keen on joining WWI--but Germany repeatedly attacked civilian passenger vessels, forcing his hand. The declaration against Austria and Hungary followed 8 months later.

America first declared war on Japan in 1941, following Pearl Harbor. Germany and Italy then declared war on the United States. Roosevelt retaliated asking Congress for a declaration against them. Declarations against Bulgaria, Hungary, and Romania followed 6 months later.

Since WWII, America has only been involved in conflicts through a congressional “authorization of use of military force”. If 'war' is declared, so is a state of emergency which grants the President many standby powers. An AUMF doesn't trigger these which is why it's preferred.

So whether America becomes more directly involved in the war between Russia and Ukraine or not, America is unlikely to go to 'war' with Russia themselves. War gives the President broad powers. Congress would rather limit the executive branch during a conflict by using an AUMF.