Just War Tradition

UMUC.EDU ^ | Unknown | Nile Stanton

[big'ol_freeper]

Why do we have "the law of war" at all?  Why is it important for the armed forces of the United States to understand the basics of just war theory, the law of armed conflict, and rules of engagement?

[big'ol_freeper]

Link to entire article:

Law, Morality, and War

Provided for information and discussion considering the attacks on our nation.

[Dumb_Ox]

I fear that the Just War tradition has bearing only in wars between nation-states, and then only in conflicts between Christianity-influenced nations. We may soon be waging a war against a piratical terrorist collective lacking the form of the nation. And in a conflict where only one side bothers to follow Just War dictates, I do not know if such ideals can be maintained. We may ignore them in the name of pragmatism.

Too many times people cynically say "In war there are no rules"--without realizing that such was the defence at Nuremburg.

[Romulus]

Because our adversary is (arguably) less a lawful government than a band of criminals, I agree that the Just War doctrine may not apply, strictly speaking. Of course this does not mitigate our responsibility to pursue justice justly: not indiscriminately or disproportionately. Nor, however, does it vitiate our right to pursue the evildoers.