The U.S. Constitution rightly makes the president the commander-in-chief of the military (Article One, Section 2), but in order that he properly and effectively deploy the military it also requires him first to persuade Congress to vote upon and declare war (Article Two, Section 8), which means the President must cite the provocation, name the enemy, and project a plausible path to victory.

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Regarding the chain of command, the French intelligence assessment said the section of the Syrian military responsible for filling munitions with chemical agents and for security at storage sites - "Branch 450" of the CERS - was staffed only by members of the president's minority Alawite sect and was "distinguished by a high level of loyalty to the regime".

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Noticeably, Congress excluded the minister and military housing allowances from the new, restricted Section 119.

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The effect of this section would be to preclude dismantlement of weapons in excess of military needs.

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It covers the basics and includes a section about financial aid for students thinking about pursuing careers in the military, as well as veterans and their dependents.

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The United States, therefore, can invoke that section of the charter and count on the support of its NATO allies in mounting military operations.

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In time of war it is also a crime, punishable by death under 18USCS section 794(b), to inform the enemy of troop movements and any military plans or any information relating to public defense.

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The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a UK-based activist group, said the fighting between government forces and rebel fighters was focused on a section of motorway linking the airport to the city, which has been used by the military to transport troops and supplies.

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