Geneva Conventions and Code of Conduct?

Question

Does anyone else feel these treaties have out lived their intended purpose? Every conflict/war the US has become involved with, since the "creation" of these international laws, the opposition doesn't follow any of these laws. Instead they use them to their advantage. If you were permitted to do whatever it takes to win the war, do you think there would be as much opposition causing as many casualties? Just think of all the wars we have lost or aborted because we couldn't win. You can't use conventional warfare against unconventional forces (Why the Brits lost against the US...twice). What happened to the saying "All's fair in love and war". Anyone agree or have some other intelligent insight?

Answer 1

The geneva convention only applies to countries, not to militias unfortunately. It is sad, that we must adhere to the laws of land warfare while our enemy can do as they please. They can use hospitals and mosques as cover while we can not even return fire unless we can positively identify a hostile target. The premise behind the geneva convention is pure, but as you have stated, we are fighting a nonconventional battle. Also, with the rise of the media presence in the combat area, it hamstrings us even more since one missed shot, one missed bombing or one botched attack will end up on every station from al-jazeera to msnbc making us look like mindless and evil killing machines. Its a shame.

Answer 2

You said it. The US is the only country that goes by these rules. I think if you go to war you do whatever it take to win. Gen. Sherman did total war and the North won the Civil War. If I were in a war zone anyone with a gun would be fair game, except friendly troops. War is kill or be killed. Keep the politics out of it. Got KICK BUTT AND TAKE NAMES. My dad said we would've have won in Vietnam if the troops could have fought the war on the enemies terms.
The Geneva Convention is a joke!