In any conflict, your fate will depend on your action. Do not destroy oil wells, a source of wealth that belongs to the Iraqi people. Do not obey any command to use weapons of mass destruction against anyone, including the Iraqi people. War crimes will be prosecuted. War criminals will be punished. And it will be no defense to say, 'I was just following orders.'
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Military actions must protect Iraqi assets and avoid war crimes regardless of orders.
- In plain terms
- Do not harm Iraqi people or destroy wealth even if ordered.
- What can you take from it?
- Follow ethical rules in war even under command.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- When must orders be disobeyed?
- How do we ensure accountability?
Another view
Orders in conflict may create impossible moral choices.
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