The Vandal Wars were two different wars presided over by the Separatists under the Anointed One, the Republic under Nathaniel Kenobi, and the Vandals, otherwise known as common smugglers united to defeat both powers. Their purpose was to rule the Galaxy and control the rates and prices of the stuff they sold. They were from 20 BBY to 19 BBY. Nathan was given instruction by the Jedi Council to enforce Republic law on some random smugglers and he found out that they had been planning a much larger business than smuggling.