Here’s a clear, grounded article explaining how U.S. law of war treats threats and civilian targets:
from U.S. Law of War by the Department of Defense concerning Threats, Civilian Protection, and the Limits of Force. Some observers say President Trump may be potentially committing war crimes by threats of bombing civilians back to the "stone age" and wiping out all bridges and electric facilities in Iran. Trump said, when questioned about this being a war crime, says he's not "concerned."
The United States’ approach to warfare is governed by a combination of domestic law, military doctrine, and international agreements collectively known as the law of war (also called the law of armed conflict). At its core, this framework is designed to balance military necessity with humanitarian protections especially for civilians and includes threatening civilians with harm.
from U.S. Law of War by the Department of Defense concerning Threats, Civilian Protection, and the Limits of Force. Some observers say President Trump may be potentially committing war crimes by threats of bombing civilians back to the "stone age" and wiping out all bridges and electric facilities in Iran. Trump said, when questioned about this being a war crime, says he's not "concerned."
The United States’ approach to warfare is governed by a combination of domestic law, military doctrine, and international agreements collectively known as the law of war (also called the law of armed conflict). At its core, this framework is designed to balance military necessity with humanitarian protections especially for civilians and includes threatening civilians with harm.
Foundations of the Law of War
U.S. law of war principles derive heavily from international treaties such as the Geneva Conventions, as well as customary international law and Department of Defense directives (notably the DoD Law of War Manual).
Four core principles guide military operations:
Distinction: Combatants must distinguish between military targets and civilians.
Proportionality: Attacks must not cause excessive civilian harm relative to anticipated military advantage.
Military Necessity: Force must be used only to achieve legitimate military objectives.
Humanity: Unnecessary suffering must be avoided.
These principles apply not only to physical attacks but also to threats and psychological operations.
U.S. law of war principles derive heavily from international treaties such as the Geneva Conventions, as well as customary international law and Department of Defense directives (notably the DoD Law of War Manual).
Four core principles guide military operations:
Distinction: Combatants must distinguish between military targets and civilians.
Proportionality: Attacks must not cause excessive civilian harm relative to anticipated military advantage.
Military Necessity: Force must be used only to achieve legitimate military objectives.
Humanity: Unnecessary suffering must be avoided.
These principles apply not only to physical attacks but also to threats and psychological operations.
Civilian Targets: Strict Prohibition
Under U.S. law and the law of war, civilians and civilian objects are protected.
Under U.S. law and the law of war, civilians and civilian objects are protected.
What counts as a civilian target?
Civilian targets include:
Homes, schools, hospitals
Non-military infrastructure (e.g., water systems, power grids—unless used for military purposes)
Non-combatants (including journalists, aid workers, and ordinary residents)
Deliberately targeting civilians is considered a war crime.
Even when attacking legitimate military targets, commanders must:
Take precautions to minimize civilian harm
Cancel or suspend attacks if civilian damage would be disproportionate
Civilian targets include:
Homes, schools, hospitals
Non-military infrastructure (e.g., water systems, power grids—unless used for military purposes)
Non-combatants (including journalists, aid workers, and ordinary residents)
Deliberately targeting civilians is considered a war crime.
Even when attacking legitimate military targets, commanders must:
Take precautions to minimize civilian harm
Cancel or suspend attacks if civilian damage would be disproportionate
Dual-Use Targets and Gray Areas
Modern conflicts often involve dual-use infrastructure, facilities used for both civilian and military purposes.
Examples:
Bridges used for troop movement
Communication networks used by military forces
Energy grids powering military bases
These may become lawful targets only if they offer definite military advantage. However, proportionality rules still apply, meaning civilian impact must be carefully weighed.
Modern conflicts often involve dual-use infrastructure, facilities used for both civilian and military purposes.
Examples:
Bridges used for troop movement
Communication networks used by military forces
Energy grids powering military bases
These may become lawful targets only if they offer definite military advantage. However, proportionality rules still apply, meaning civilian impact must be carefully weighed.
Threats Under the Law of War
Threats are also regulated, not just physical acts.
Threats are also regulated, not just physical acts.
Illegal Threats
Certain types of threats are prohibited, including:
Threats intended to terrorize civilians. The law of war explicitly forbids acts or threats of violence aimed at spreading terror among civilian populations.
Certain types of threats are prohibited, including:
Threats intended to terrorize civilians. The law of war explicitly forbids acts or threats of violence aimed at spreading terror among civilian populations.
For example:
Threatening to target civilians
Threatening torture or unlawful killing
Threatening indiscriminate attacks
Such threats can themselves constitute violations, even if never carried out.
Threatening to target civilians
Threatening torture or unlawful killing
Threatening indiscriminate attacks
Such threats can themselves constitute violations, even if never carried out.
Psychological Warfare and Information Operations
Not all threats are illegal. Psychological operations (PSYOP) are allowed if they comply with legal standards.
Lawful examples:
Urging enemy combatants to surrender
Warning civilians to evacuate before an attack
Broadcasting messages to weaken enemy morale
Unlawful examples:
False threats against civilians
Coercion that violates humanitarian protections
Incitement to commit war crimes
Not all threats are illegal. Psychological operations (PSYOP) are allowed if they comply with legal standards.
Lawful examples:
Urging enemy combatants to surrender
Warning civilians to evacuate before an attack
Broadcasting messages to weaken enemy morale
Unlawful examples:
False threats against civilians
Coercion that violates humanitarian protections
Incitement to commit war crimes
Precautions and Duty to Warn
U.S. forces are often required to provide advance warning when feasible before attacking targets that may affect civilians.
Examples include:
“Knock” warnings (e.g., small preliminary strikes or messages)
Leaflets or broadcasts instructing evacuation
However, warnings are not required if they would:
Compromise the mission
Increase risk to forces
Be impractical in fast-moving combat
U.S. forces are often required to provide advance warning when feasible before attacking targets that may affect civilians.
Examples include:
“Knock” warnings (e.g., small preliminary strikes or messages)
Leaflets or broadcasts instructing evacuation
However, warnings are not required if they would:
Compromise the mission
Increase risk to forces
Be impractical in fast-moving combat
Accountability and Enforcement
Violations of the law of war can lead to serious consequences:
Court-martial under the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ)
Federal prosecution under the War Crimes Act
International accountability mechanisms
Commanders can be held responsible not only for their own actions but also for failing to prevent or punish violations by subordinates.
Violations of the law of war can lead to serious consequences:
Court-martial under the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ)
Federal prosecution under the War Crimes Act
International accountability mechanisms
Commanders can be held responsible not only for their own actions but also for failing to prevent or punish violations by subordinates.
Modern Challenges
Contemporary warfare complicates these rules:
Urban combat increases civilian risk
Non-state actors may operate among civilians
Cyber warfare raises new questions about what constitutes a “civilian target”
Despite these challenges, the core legal standard remains: civilians must never be the object of attack or terror.
Contemporary warfare complicates these rules:
Urban combat increases civilian risk
Non-state actors may operate among civilians
Cyber warfare raises new questions about what constitutes a “civilian target”
Despite these challenges, the core legal standard remains: civilians must never be the object of attack or terror.
Bottom Line
U.S. law of war draws a firm line:
Targeting civilians or threatening them is illegal
Military force must be precise, justified, and restrained
Even threats if aimed at civilians or involving unlawful conduct can be war crimes
The legitimacy of military operations depends not only on strategic success but on adherence to these legal and moral constraints.
U.S. law of war draws a firm line:
Targeting civilians or threatening them is illegal
Military force must be precise, justified, and restrained
Even threats if aimed at civilians or involving unlawful conduct can be war crimes
The legitimacy of military operations depends not only on strategic success but on adherence to these legal and moral constraints.
July 2023 Revision: The updated Department of War manual, which is considered a "living document," revised sections regarding the presumption of civilian status (Section 5.4.3.2), stating that persons or objects must be presumed protected unless information indicates they are military objectives.
This requires a Commander-in-Chief who believes in the rule of law to actually be effective.
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