• tocopherol@lemmy.dbzer0.com
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    2 days ago

    But a civilian target is not. So why not equip a civilian target with military gear?

    Because it’s against Geneva conventions and reduces your military’s legitimacy, and opens up your civilian logistics to attacks because the enemy wouldn’t have a way of knowing if a merchant ship is military or not, so you can’t complain if the enemy starts bombing civilian infrastructure.

    • TigerAce@lemmy.dbzer0.com
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      2 days ago

      Yes, but the confusion with the enemy whether the target is legit or not gives you a little extra time, which can be critical. And it gives you plausible deniability. It’s making war less black and white and more a massive complex confusing gray zone, especially for your enemy.

      • tocopherol@lemmy.dbzer0.com
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        2 days ago

        It would make it just as confusing for you because the enemy would adopt the same method if everyone accepts it. It makes life for all people less safe. It’s not necessarily a bad idea tactically but it is bound to increase the deaths of civilians.

        • TigerAce@lemmy.dbzer0.com
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          2 days ago

          Yeah that’s true. They are trying to gain the edge and it will come at the cost of many civilians, but the countries that do this hold little value to human lives.