Rules of Engagement: Ethics in Warfare [rebroadcast]




BackStory show

Summary: The news of a likely chemical weapons attack in Syria is a horrifying reminder that combatants don’t always “play by the rules” of war. But other kinds of military action have been the subject of concern in recent years. America’s use of targeted drone strikes across the Middle East, for example, have also raised questions about what is—and is not—an appropriate means of waging war. In this episode, the American History Guys look at how previous generations have answered these sorts of questions. They explore the shockingly violent battle tactics of Europeans in comparison to Native American ways of war. And with Syria at the forefront of international concern, they consider what made the use of chemical weapons taboo in the first place. For more on the guests and stories featured in this episode, and for a range of resources looking at the rules of war, check out BackStory’s website: http://backstoryradio.org/shows/rules-of-engagement/