General Discussion

What people often confuse is what seems like a war crime and what actually is. Wars of aggression are governed under International Law. War crimes are governed under International Humanitarian Law, two separate but related legal doctrines. One governs how states behave between each other and the other on conduct during armed conflicts. Just because the initiation of the war maybe illegal under international law, does not mean that everything that follows is a war crime. That is judged separately based on the conduct of the personnel in combat. And no, targeting political leaders are not war crimes. As they are often times giving orders and commanding the military and directing the overall direction of the war, they are valid targets. However, targeting purely religious leaders would be. But, if the religious leader is also commanding the military or taking part in military actions, then they lose their protection as civilian and can be targeted. Under International law, a person's status is not static. Its dynamic, depending on their actions. If you are actively involved in, supporting, or assisting in combat, commanding or directing, involved in tactical decision or strategy, then you can be targeted.