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War Powers

War powers refer to the legal and constitutional authority of governments to engage in military action. In the United States, the Constitution grants Congress the power to declare war, while the President is responsible for leading the military. This creates a balance, as Congress controls funding and declares conflicts, while the President can respond quickly to threats. The War Powers Resolution of 1973 further defines this dynamic, requiring the President to notify Congress within 48 hours of military action and limiting armed conflicts without congressional approval to 60 days, aiming to prevent unauthorized wars.