Prompt Cast
The Evolution of the Rules of War: From Per-Battle Agreements to International Conventions
TLDR The rules of war have evolved over time to establish guidelines for combat, protect prisoners of war, preserve cultural property, and prevent the use of chemical and biological warfare. These rules apply to all conflicts and are enforced through international courts or tribunals.
Timestamped Summary
00:00
The podcast discusses the rules of war and how they are created to prevent atrocities and maintain structure in chaotic situations.
04:14
The rules of war were initially established on a per-battle and per-country basis, but in 1859, after the Battle of Solferino, Henry Dunant founded the Red Cross and the first Geneva Convention, which led to the creation of international rules of war that apply to all conflicts.
08:24
The Hague Conventions, which took place in the Netherlands in 1899-1907, established rules for combat, weaponry, property rights, and duties of neutral countries, as well as steps to prevent war and the use of certain weapons.
12:34
Chemical and biological warfare was made illegal in 1899, and the Hague Convention states that wounded and sick soldiers must be helped and given more protection than active combatants.
16:19
Prisoners of war (POWs) are considered prisoners of the country, not the individual soldier, and their detention is legal under international law, but if they escape and make it to their own side, their detention is wiped clean as if they were never captured.
20:23
Prisoners of war must be treated as such until a tribunal is set up, members of the media traveling with armed forces must also be granted POW status, and POWs cannot be subjected to degrading treatment, coercion, or torture.
24:22
Cultural property, such as museums, works of art, and scientific achievements, are protected under the Hague and Geneva Conventions, and it is illegal to destroy or loot them during war.
28:30
The Geneva and Hague Conventions do not specify what kind of punishment should be given to those who violate the rules of war, leaving it up to the impacted country to seek justice through international courts or tribunals.
32:42
The rules of war apply to militias as well, and if they don't follow the rules, they can be subject to torture, attacks, or humiliation, which helps keep both sides in line.
36:34
The podcast ends with a series of ads for various products and other podcasts.
Categories:
Society & Culture
