naraburns nihil supernum
7mo ago
(text post)
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Israel-Gaza Megathread #2
This is a refreshed megathread for any posts on the conflict between (so far, and so far as I know) Hamas and the Israeli government, as well as related geopolitics. Culture War thread rules apply.
That's what it is, though. Likely for the reason that no reasonably honest nation would sign on to a rule of war that required they not kill civilians even by accident.
Oh sure -- but when it comes down to it the 'laws of war' are kind of bullshit that way, and mostly only get applied to the losers of wars. The squishyness is a feature (we have 'collateral damage', you do 'terror attacks') -- but it means there's not much point in thinking too hard about them during ongoing conflicts. You of all people are surely aware of this?
If they're kinda bullshit (and they are, but only 'kinda'), they're kinda bullshit for everyone, and handwringing over Israels "crimes" while ignoring Hamas's is just as wrong in that scenario as it is when you're taking the laws of war seriously.
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Notes -
The main problem with it is (as with all doctrines that hinge on knowing the intent of belligerent parties) it seems pretty vulnerable to abuse...
That's what it is, though. Likely for the reason that no reasonably honest nation would sign on to a rule of war that required they not kill civilians even by accident.
Oh sure -- but when it comes down to it the 'laws of war' are kind of bullshit that way, and mostly only get applied to the losers of wars. The squishyness is a feature (we have 'collateral damage', you do 'terror attacks') -- but it means there's not much point in thinking too hard about them during ongoing conflicts. You of all people are surely aware of this?
If they're kinda bullshit (and they are, but only 'kinda'), they're kinda bullshit for everyone, and handwringing over Israels "crimes" while ignoring Hamas's is just as wrong in that scenario as it is when you're taking the laws of war seriously.
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