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> A military organization, such as that described in this article, seeks to minimize civilian casualties to the utmost possible extent. This has only become th
by hasenj 9y ago
> A military organization, such as that described in this article, seeks to minimize civilian casualties to the utmost possible extent.
This has only become the case officially after WWII.
And frankly I think the only reason this even matters is the media.
Civilian lives meant absolutely nothing and were considered fair target during war.
Millions died in WWII from intentional fire bombing campaigns on urban areas by the allied forces.
Same in the Korean war.
Same during the Vietnam war.
Civilians were purposely targeted to "demoralize the enemy" and force them to surrender.
The official difference between war and terrorism is that war must be officially declared by a government and have specific objectives and once the objective is reached then the killing should stop.
- vain 9y ago> The official difference between war and terrorism is that war must be officially declared by a government and have specific objectives and once the objective is reached then the killing should stop. What's your source for this definition?
- hordeallergy 9y agoAlso, haven't isil declared war, and with specific objectives?
- throwanem 9y agoWhich government has recognized ISIL's claim to sovereignty in those territories it still holds, or indeed in any territory at all?
- vacri 9y agoThe US and Russia both have claims to sovereignty there!?
- throwanem 9y agoISIL's claim is the one under discussion, though. That's the one whose recognition would signify in the question of whether their actions are legitimate warfare, by the standard cited earlier in this thread. US and Russian claims are a different question altogether.
- vacri 9y agoISIL's actions in the war zone are acts of war and have fairly standard military objectives. ISIL's actions against uninvolved countries by directly attacking their citizens is terrorism. It's not an either/or situation.
- deleted 9y ago[deleted]
- omginternets 9y ago>And frankly I think the only reason this even matters is the media. So the media is doing it's job, then? I don't see the problem.
- hasenj 9y agoI wasn't complaining about the media. Just pointing out that if the media wasn't there to agitate people about all the innocent people being killed, WWII-like strategies would be still be officially seen as fair and legitimate tactics even now.