It's different because the US Congress hasn't technically declared it. I agree with you that it hardly matters though. That said, I wouldn't think to supply weapons for war unless I was at war, and I'd certainly figure out what the fuck they're being used for before committing to supply them. And if there are standards (only these targets that I support), you're basically at fucking war. I don't think the president should have such unilateral power, but I believe Congress approved such funding.