Quote:
Originally posted by sgtclub
My understanding is that at least part of the problem is that the troops guarding the prisoners were often times reserves that were not properly trained for that task.
I'm torn on this issue. Part of me thinks it's wrong, but the other part of me thinks that nearly anything goes in war when it comes to soldiers (not innocents), because the stakes are typically so high in war that the means justifies the ends.
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I can see your point, and agree with it to an extent, but where do you draw the line? Is it OK to kick and beat someone to get information? I can see answering yes.
Is it OK threaten a prisoner's/detainee's/whatever you what to call them's son, who is a young teenager and may also be participating in insurgency stuff, but we don't know, to get the parent to talk? Is it OK to pick up the kid and bring him in, and beat the parent (father) and tell him you are going to beat the kid the same way if he doesn't talk?
Is it OK to rape (or threaten to rape, and undress or whatever in prep for rape) the sister/daughter/wife/mother of a prisoner/detainee/whatever?
I mean, traditionally, I think when you take a town back from the enemy (whoever they are), if the town was cooperating, you have free rein to rape and loot.
ETA, obviously not all the above is directed at you b/c of your "innocents" thingy. But, I'm curious, are all of the people who are being "detained" and treated in the way that is raising questions (is that neutral enough??) people who we know were/are soldiers (actively fighting)? Or are some people we just suspect of being active in the insurgency?