Target Lists: A 1923 Idea with Applications for the Future
Abstract
Will United States officials be indicted, tried and convicted for bombing raids? The international legal community is continually developing the concepts of crimes against humanity, war crimes and command responsibility for these crimes. In the future, these crimes could be tried in the proposed International Criminal Court. U.S. target selection is often controversial. The hypothetical news story has just two incidents when national and world media criticized U.S. target selection. However, the U.S. is often criticized for selecting some bombing targets and for not selecting other targets. Is there a way for the U.S. and other nations to select targets to minimize criticism? What if nations agreed on target lists in advance? Would such a list have other benefits? This article proposes the U.S. and other nations adopt a uniform target list as guidance for future bombing. A general target list, accepted in advance of any conflict, would limit criticism and build consensus in the international community that certain targets are appropriate. Such a consensus would make coalition military operations more efficient and build stronger coalitions for international actions. In particular, this article discusses the target list in Article 24(2) of the proposed Hague Rules of Air Warfare of 1923. This article also discusses the guidance of Articles 22 to 24 of those rules.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 2001
- Accession Number
- ADA398626
Entities
People
- Herman Reinhold