Changes

Giving in to Hillary's pressure, on Friday March 8, 2011, President Obama told reporters he would appoint an official to maintain contact with the "Libyan opposition". The number two official at the U.S. Embassy in Tripoli, [[Christopher Stevens]]<ref>[http://abcnewsradioonline.com/world-news/us-names-chris-stevens-liaison-to-libyan-opposition.html US Names Chris Stevens Liaison to Libyan Opposition,]  ABC News Radio, March 14, 2011.</ref>  was tasked with helping to coordinate assistance to the "rebels", whose top military commander, Abdelhakim Belhadj, was the leader of the [[Al Qaeda]] affiliate, the [[Libyan Islamic Fighting Group]] (LIFG).<ref>[http://counterjihadreport.com/tag/libyan-islamic-fighting-group/ ‘White Out’ on Benghazi: State Dept. Issues Report,] Clare Lopez, December 23, 2012. http://counterjihadreport.com</ref> Hillary Clinton attended a meeting in Paris with Stevens and representatives of the "Libyan opposition", as did U.S. Ambassador Gene Cretz, who has also had contacts with the "opposition". Clinton discussed what she persuaded the Obama administration to do to help the [[jihad]]is, and that they would do more than just provide humanitarian aid.

Giving in to Hillary's pressure, on Friday March 8, 2011, President Obama told reporters he would appoint an official to maintain contact with the "Libyan opposition". The number two official at the U.S. Embassy in Tripoli, [[Christopher Stevens]]<ref>[http://abcnewsradioonline.com/world-news/us-names-chris-stevens-liaison-to-libyan-opposition.html US Names Chris Stevens Liaison to Libyan Opposition,]  ABC News Radio, March 14, 2011.</ref>  was tasked with helping to coordinate assistance to the "rebels", whose top military commander, Abdelhakim Belhadj, was the leader of the [[Al Qaeda]] affiliate, the [[Libyan Islamic Fighting Group]] (LIFG).<ref>[http://counterjihadreport.com/tag/libyan-islamic-fighting-group/ ‘White Out’ on Benghazi: State Dept. Issues Report,] Clare Lopez, December 23, 2012. http://counterjihadreport.com</ref> Hillary Clinton attended a meeting in Paris with Stevens and representatives of the "Libyan opposition", as did U.S. Ambassador Gene Cretz, who has also had contacts with the "opposition". Clinton discussed what she persuaded the Obama administration to do to help the [[jihad]]is, and that they would do more than just provide humanitarian aid.

==Questions on the legality of U.S. actions==

==Bypassing Congress===

 

===War Powers Act===

Under the [[War Powers Act]] of 1973 the U.S President has limited authority to use military force without Congressional authorization when there is an imminent [[national security]] threat.

Under the [[War Powers Act]] of 1973 the U.S President has limited authority to use military force without Congressional authorization when there is an imminent [[national security]] threat.

The War Powers Act specifically states that the President’s power to introduce forces into hostilities or imminent hostilities can only be exercised pursuant to (1) a declaration of war; (2) specific statutory authorization; or (3) a national emergency created by an attack on the United States or its forces. The War Powers Act requires the President in every possible instance to consult with Congress before introducing American Armed Forces into hostilities or imminent hostilities unless there has been a declaration of war or other specific Congressional authorization.  

The War Powers Act specifically states that the President’s power to introduce forces into hostilities or imminent hostilities can only be exercised pursuant to (1) a declaration of war; (2) specific statutory authorization; or (3) a national emergency created by an attack on the United States or its forces. The War Powers Act requires the President in every possible instance to consult with Congress before introducing American Armed Forces into hostilities or imminent hostilities unless there has been a declaration of war or other specific Congressional authorization.