Read the full memorandum here.

During August, Congress is in recess, during which time members return to their districts to vacation or to meet with their constituents (hence, why August is often known as a slow news month). August was originally chosen as the recess month due to the oppressive summer heat in Washington, DC that made working in the Capitol nearly impossible.

This is particularly opportune time for the President to exercise his 60 days of military engagement without Congressional approval.

The Tomahawk cruise missile is a long-range missile capable of traveling 550 mph. The Block II TLAM-A is capable of hitting targets over 1,500 miles from its launch site.

The Tenth Amendment states that all powers not explicitly allocated to the Federal Government fall under each state’s jurisdiction.

During the Iran-Iraq war, much of the Middle East and the United States threw their weight behind the Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein. The US provided Iraq with military training, oil credits, an still unknown amount of of direct military aid, and probably most horrifyingly, chemical weapons.

According to a report compiled in 1994 by Senator Don Riegle, the US had provided Iraq with chemical and biological weapons during the conflict, in violation of the Geneva Conventions. These same weapons were then deployed agains the US’s own troops during the Gulf War.

During this time, Syria, which had been allied with Iran since 1979, was one of Tehran’s only supporters.

Iran has repeatedly noted that any attack on its ally Assad in Syria would warrant a retaliatory attack against the United States' greatest regional ally, Israel.

The Iran-Syria alliance dates back to the 1980’s when both nations were pitted against Iraq’s Saddam Hussein (who was, at the time, supported United State militarily and otherwise, despite his own frequent use of deadly chemical weapons). The alliance was, and continues to be, further cemented by the mutual loathing that each possesses towards Israel.

Kanal offered to leave No Doubt when he ended their relationship, but Stefani insisted he stay. The band then toured together for 28 months after the release of Tragic Kingdom (and shortly following their break up), an experience both Kanal and Stefani later described as brutal.