Under LOAC, there are three categories of players. Lawful combatants, Unlawful Combatants, Non-combatants. The third is self explanatory. Lawful combatants are state sponsored and 'in' the war. Unlawful combatants aren't 'in' officially but still participate. Legal jeopardy in that case.
As long as Lawful combatants don't do 'war crimes', they have legal protection. Captured must be treated as POWs for eg. Unlawful combatants have no legal protection. They may be killed where found or captured and prosecuted in a tribunal setting. All the 'bankers' are playing @ war as well as dopes like the Pope. They are screwed. Now the gov't officials also participating US/Italian/German etc, do you think their respective gov'ts will acknowledge they were sanctioned by the state? Answer, who wants to be caught @ war with the US?
It should go without saying that there is no 'right' for USCs to fight against their country. Unlawful combatants.
Thanks very much for your answer.
So grateful to have so many knowledgeable FReeqs.