For starters the first line, second paragraph in the US out line (Europe pg 34) under “The Political Situation” states:
“The US may not declare war on any Axis power unless an Axis power declares war on it first, after which it may declare war on any or all Axis powers”.
This insinuates (to me) that the US needs to declare war on one or all axis powers. It doesn’t say any thing about when to do it, or that war now exist between the US and the power that declared war (did attack) immediately. Further more it doesn’t state that the US must wait until its turn to declare war on the other two axis powers either. When it says the US has to declare war I would take it as being on the US turn for all.
2nd, pg #35 under US (political situation global rules) middle of the second paragraph.
“If the US has war declared on it by an Axis power or Japan makes an unprovoked declaration of war on the UK or Anzac, the US may declare war on any or all Axis powers”.
This insinuates (to me) the same as above. It clearly says the US can declare war on any or all axis powers in both situations. It doesn’t tell you when to declare war (now or on your turn) it groups them all into the same lump. It says nothing about being at a state of war (a mutual DOW) with the power that declared war on you and attacked.
Then when you add in the side bar on pg 15 “Powers that Begin the Game Neutral” This is where I get the declare war on your turn. Its the only time I saw in the rules that you can declare war.
Now I get the meaning now through these discussions, but not through the rules as written. If I have missed an important part in the political rules please point it out.