The moment war is declared, however, the mass of the people, through some spiritual alchemy, become convinced that they have willed and executed the deed themselves.

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Although war is seldom declared, de facto wars still occur and the belligerents are often non-states.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: Terrorism combatant brief

When it comes to the conduct of war, Turner declared, President Bush is the decider.

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But in the meantime, the Swiss authorities have declared war on a wall of cash which is a lot bigger than they are, and doesn't have a lot of other places to go.

BBC: Swiss move to make its safe-haven less attractive

Alexander Golts, a Russian military analyst, says that this is the first time since the cold war that Russia has declared its intention to create a military threat to the West.

ECONOMIST: Russia

Given that Somalia's Union of Islamic Courts, which seeks to govern the whole of Somalia, has declared a jihadist war on Ethiopia, my country is concerned about its national interest and security, as well as that of the region, and the impetus of these concerns is not a design to win America's friendship.

ECONOMIST: Read all about it

The war on drug cartels declared by Mr Calderon after his election in 2006 is seen as having led to a surge in drug-related violence.

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Puntland -- which declared its independence from war-wracked Somalia a decade ago but is not internationally recognized -- wants the international community to do more to combat the problem, Aware said.

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