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mysteryowl

(9,316 posts)
Sun Mar 8, 2026, 12:01 AM Mar 8

Was President Jimmy Carter the only US president to not wage war?

Jimmy Carter
1924-2024
Former President of the United States, Nobel Peace Laureate and veteran peace negotiator; dedicated to advancing peace, democracy and health worldwide.


Thank you Pres. Carter

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Was President Jimmy Carter the only US president to not wage war? (Original Post) mysteryowl Mar 8 OP
Biden JBTaurus83 Mar 8 #1
Did he engage in drone warfar? Obama did. mysteryowl Mar 8 #2
For counter-terrorism. All presidents do now. betsuni Mar 8 #12
Yes JBTaurus83 Mar 8 #15
He also authorized military strikes in other countries EdmondDantes_ Mar 8 #6
World War Two Excepted, Yes, Possibly. ColoringFool Mar 8 #3
War was ongoing when Obama assumed office. tirebiter Mar 8 #4
Man. I remember all too well when he took over, just as the Bush/Cheney economy tanked. C Moon Mar 8 #11
Herbert Hoover I believe MichMan Mar 8 #5
I forgot I had this link and have not researched it yet to answer my own question. mysteryowl Mar 8 #7
That's quite a resource! progressoid Mar 8 #9
Indeed! It is good find. mysteryowl Mar 8 #10
What is the definition of war? RockRaven Mar 8 #8
Ford(?) 🤔 nt Raine Mar 8 #13
Lt James Earl Carter was in the navy until he resigned in 1953 tirebiter Mar 8 #14

JBTaurus83

(1,401 posts)
1. Biden
Sun Mar 8, 2026, 12:06 AM
Mar 8

Did not start any wars. He got us out of Afghanistan, and he sent arms to Ukraine and Israel.

JBTaurus83

(1,401 posts)
15. Yes
Sun Mar 8, 2026, 11:54 AM
Mar 8

I may not have worded my post the best. I just meant the only thing Biden had really done is provide anti-terrorism support.

EdmondDantes_

(1,808 posts)
6. He also authorized military strikes in other countries
Sun Mar 8, 2026, 12:18 AM
Mar 8

He sent strikes against Iran, Iranian backed forces in Syria, and Yemen for example. But relatively he was restrained in his use of the military.

C Moon

(13,644 posts)
11. Man. I remember all too well when he took over, just as the Bush/Cheney economy tanked.
Sun Mar 8, 2026, 02:56 AM
Mar 8

He worked so hard to get us back on our feet. I recall newspapers talking about how big box stores would be slowly shutting down one by one—a CVS near us shut down at that time. Seeing a large building and parking lot empty was freaky. Dark times. But he pulled us through.

It's no coincidence that the Democratic party is always cleaning up after gop "parades." The same will happen in 2028. And it's going to be a huge clean up mess.

mysteryowl

(9,316 posts)
7. I forgot I had this link and have not researched it yet to answer my own question.
Sun Mar 8, 2026, 12:24 AM
Mar 8
Every Country the United States Has Invaded, Bombed, or Staged a Coup In

https://www.davemanuel.com/us-military-interventions-invasions-coups-complete-list.php




mysteryowl

(9,316 posts)
10. Indeed! It is good find.
Sun Mar 8, 2026, 12:54 AM
Mar 8

Did you see all the covert CIA actions? They have been at it for many years!

The US is in the Philippines and Cameroon.

RockRaven

(19,406 posts)
8. What is the definition of war?
Sun Mar 8, 2026, 12:51 AM
Mar 8

On one extreme, the US hasn't formally, legally declared war since June 1942 (Bulgaria, Hungary, Romania), and there have been many presidents since then.

On the other, Carter did engage in Operation Eagle Claw (failed attempt to use the military to rescue the Iranian hostages) so deployment of US forces into hostile foreign countries was non-zero.

tirebiter

(2,699 posts)
14. Lt James Earl Carter was in the navy until he resigned in 1953
Sun Mar 8, 2026, 04:14 AM
Mar 8

He served on submarines under Hyman Rickover. Later he designed the flotillas that are entering the war zone now. They maximize the use of naval and AirPower to minimize the need for naval bases. He was a warrior chief.

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