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[–] Wmb102er 0 points 5 points (+5|-0) ago 

I've never quite understood the concept of war crimes. It's okay to kill people, but only in a certain way. The civilian is of limits, but the soldier, who is probably forced into service, is fair game. Maybe I'm missing something, but I think war is hell, war crimes or no war crimes.

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[–] moonroof ago 

Yes, all soldiers are committing evil acts. Some of these acts are so bad and so unnecessary even to further military goals that we try to punish the people who do them.

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[–] Wmb102er ago 

But many war crimes do further military goals.

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[–] Krael 0 points 3 points (+3|-0) ago  (edited ago)

I've never quite understood the concept of war crimes. It's okay to kill people, but only in a certain way.

It's not okay, but wars are going to happen whether we like it or not, so we should at least try to kill each other in ways that don't maximize suffering. Being sprayed with white phosphorus is a much longer and more agonizing way to die than simply being shot with a bullet.

The civilian is of limits, but the soldier, who is probably forced into service, is fair game.

Yes. The person pointing a gun at you is a valid target, the people hiding in their homes are not.

I think war is hell, war crimes or no war crimes

I agree, but it's just slightly more hellish when you start throwing in shit like chlorine gas, white phosphorus strikes, intentional targeting of hospitals and refugee shelters, and a military directive to kill your own soldiers instead of letting them be captured.

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[–] 1smartass 1 point 1 point (+2|-1) ago  (edited ago)

The WP rounds aren't anti personnel, in fact they'd suck for that, they're concealment rounds. They consist of several felt wedges impregnated with WP. As they fly through the air after being dispersed, they'll glow like anything smoldering will, then they all hit the ground with each piece making copious amounts of smoke for concealment. The many still photos and videos confirm they're that type of ordnance.

Choice one is for squad who wants to cross street guarded by snipers in apartment building, to call in an airstrike to take out the apartment building, or perhaps spray it with gunfire. Choice two is to call in a WP round between the apartment building and the squad so the sniper can't get their crosshairs on someone in the squad as they maneuver to their objective.

I frequent r/combatfootage, and I've seen footage of lots of WP rounds used that could be considered anti material or anti personnel.

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[–] Wmb102er 0 points 2 points (+2|-0) ago 

Some good points, especially about the chemical weapons stuff. I'm still not sure about the soldier/civilian thing though. Killing soldiers who are sitting in their bases is generally seen as ok, because they may at some point shoot at you. Thing is, the same can be said for civilians. They may be recruited at some point. They also supply the people pointing guns at you. You also can't ban pre-emptively killing enemy soldiers. It's a sure fire way to loose.