For instance, the period between 1941 and 1945 was the last time
the United States had been officially at war. Korea, Vietnam,
Iraq (both times), and Afghanistan were merely prolonged cases
of "military action" without actually declaring war on anyone.
for military action in Iraq (first gulf war) was Joint
Resolution to authorize the use of United States Armed Forces
pursuant to United Nations Security Council Resolution 678 on
January 14, 1991, "Operation Desert Storm." for military action
in Afghanistan was House Joint Resolution 64 and Senate Joint
Resolution 23, Authorization for Use of Military Force Against
Terrorists , Public Law 107-40, voted in by the US Congress on
September 14, 2001. for military action in Iraq (second gulf
war) was on October 16, 2002, Operation Iraqi Freedom. The
Constitution gives Congress the power to authorized war, but
doesn't require specific language. The words "declaration of
war," do not have to appear on the resolution.