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mahatmakanejeeves

(69,339 posts)
Fri Mar 13, 2026, 02:09 PM 13 hrs ago

Apropos of SecDef's remarks this morning: Denial of quarter--even the declaration of no quarter--is a war crime.

Reposted by Little Excursion Hat
https://bsky.app/profile/kenwhite.bsky.social‪‬

Brian Finucane
‪@bcfinucane.bsky.social‬

✋ Former USG war crimes lawyer here.

Apropos of SecDef's remarks this morning:

Denial of quarter—even the declaration of no quarter—is a war crime.

And recognized as such by the US Government.

From DoD's Manual for Military Commissions.

(1) The accused declared, ordered, or otherwise indicated that there shall be no survivors
or surrender accepted;
(2) The accused thereby intended to threaten an adversary or to conduct hostilities such
that there would be no survivors or surrender accepted;
(3) It was foreseeable that circumstances would be such that a practicable and reasonable
ability to accept surrender would exist;
(4) The accused was in a position of effective command or control over the subordinate
forces to which the declaration or order was directed; and
(5) The conduct took place in the context of and was associated with hostilities.
ALT
11:58 AM · Mar 13, 2026

✋ Former USG war crimes lawyer here.

Apropos of SecDef's remarks this morning:

Denial of quarter—even the declaration of no quarter—is a war crime.

And recognized as such by the US Government.

From DoD's Manual for Military Commissions.

Brian Finucane (@bcfinucane.bsky.social) 2026-03-13T15:58:04.698Z


Brian Finucane
‪@bcfinucane.bsky.social‬

"Declaring that no quarter will be given" is specifically prohibited by Art 23 of the Annex to the Hague Convention IV, which means it is a war crime under US domestic law by virtue of the War Crimes Act (18 U.S. Code § 2441).
12:16 PM · Mar 13, 2026

"Declaring that no quarter will be given" is specifically prohibited by Art 23 of the Annex to the Hague Convention IV, which means it is a war crime under US domestic law by virtue of the War Crimes Act (18 U.S. Code § 2441).

Brian Finucane (@bcfinucane.bsky.social) 2026-03-13T16:16:36.654Z
19 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Apropos of SecDef's remarks this morning: Denial of quarter--even the declaration of no quarter--is a war crime. (Original Post) mahatmakanejeeves 13 hrs ago OP
Can you hang people for war crimes? leftstreet 13 hrs ago #1
Just give them "no quarter". Then you can do anything you want to them. (per hogs-breath). erronis 11 hrs ago #7
They don't care JBTaurus83 13 hrs ago #2
We may not have a choice WSHazel 13 hrs ago #3
Yes they will orangecrush 11 hrs ago #5
I'll be very happy if you are correct JBTaurus83 7 hrs ago #17
In Kegsbreath's mind, the only war crime will occur ultralite001 12 hrs ago #4
Obvious to anyone but that fuckwit orangecrush 11 hrs ago #6
Did he actually say that? pfitz59 11 hrs ago #8
I bet he was itching to use that Figarosmom 10 hrs ago #9
helluva message to be sending to the Iranians as the U.S. prepares.... OGBuzz 10 hrs ago #10
I wonder if he flies this flag at home? LiberalArkie 10 hrs ago #11
This message was self-deleted by its author BeneteauBum 10 hrs ago #12
My self deleted message was too violent BeneteauBum 10 hrs ago #13
It's all moot. progressoid 10 hrs ago #14
Don will pardon them. He's used to pardoning large unruly crowds. spanone 10 hrs ago #15
Please correct me if I'm wrong. Buddyzbuddy 10 hrs ago #16
There's a good reason people in positions like this need to choose their words carefully. mahatmakanejeeves 3 hrs ago #18
"No stupid rules of engagement." moondust 3 hrs ago #19

erronis

(23,615 posts)
7. Just give them "no quarter". Then you can do anything you want to them. (per hogs-breath).
Fri Mar 13, 2026, 04:31 PM
11 hrs ago

WSHazel

(741 posts)
3. We may not have a choice
Fri Mar 13, 2026, 02:26 PM
13 hrs ago

We are going to have to convince the rest of the world to trust us again if Trump is ever removed from power, and the rest of the world will demand accountability.

I am terrified about a coordinated attack on the dollar. A currency collapse is often how empires end.

ultralite001

(2,524 posts)
4. In Kegsbreath's mind, the only war crime will occur
Fri Mar 13, 2026, 03:21 PM
12 hrs ago

when Iran does not surrender, unconditionally or otherwise...

Figarosmom

(11,543 posts)
9. I bet he was itching to use that
Fri Mar 13, 2026, 04:37 PM
10 hrs ago

Phrase like he just found out what it meant.


Ship them all to the Hauge when this is over.

OGBuzz

(249 posts)
10. helluva message to be sending to the Iranians as the U.S. prepares....
Fri Mar 13, 2026, 04:38 PM
10 hrs ago

for a possible land incursion. Just read that 2,500 marines and at least one amphibious assault ship are headed to the Middle East. It doesn't look like Trump is feeling the end of the war in his bones yet.

Response to mahatmakanejeeves (Original post)

BeneteauBum

(416 posts)
13. My self deleted message was too violent
Fri Mar 13, 2026, 05:08 PM
10 hrs ago

I practice peace. Sometimes things just piss me off and I react in a manner which I generally don’t comport myself.

Peace ☮️

progressoid

(53,102 posts)
14. It's all moot.
Fri Mar 13, 2026, 05:10 PM
10 hrs ago

We (America) have violated numerous treaties and international laws without consequence. It's folly to think that this one will be any different.

Buddyzbuddy

(2,476 posts)
16. Please correct me if I'm wrong.
Fri Mar 13, 2026, 05:34 PM
10 hrs ago

If Commodus pardons Whiskey Pete, can't he still be brought back for military trials? Just a thought.

Ultimately, I would love to see them in front of the Hague. But I'm aware, that is not likely.

mahatmakanejeeves

(69,339 posts)
18. There's a good reason people in positions like this need to choose their words carefully.
Sat Mar 14, 2026, 12:18 AM
3 hrs ago

Reposted by Mike Masnick
https://bsky.app/profile/masnick.com

Owen Barcala
‪@obarcala.bsky.social‬

There's a good reason people in positions like this need to choose their words carefully. He's using "no quarter" because he thinks it means "we're being tough," but it's a real term and opponents will take a different meaning

This pushes opponents to declare no quarter because we did it first

‪Matt Novak‬
‪@paleofuture.bsky.social‬
· 12h
Hegseth: "We will keep pushing, keep advancing. No quarter, no mercy for our enemies."

No quarter is the refusal to take prisoners and instead just execute everyone. It's been considered a war crime for over a century.
Pete Hegseth



2:06 PM · Mar 13, 2026

There's a good reason people in positions like this need to choose their words carefully. He's using "no quarter" because he thinks it means "we're being tough," but it's a real term and opponents will take a different meaning

This pushes opponents to declare no quarter because we did it first

Owen Barcala (@obarcala.bsky.social) 2026-03-13T18:06:30.258Z


Matt Novak
‪@paleofuture.bsky.social‬

Hegseth: "We will keep pushing, keep advancing. No quarter, no mercy for our enemies."

No quarter is the refusal to take prisoners and instead just execute everyone. It's been considered a war crime for over a century.
Pete Hegseth



11:36 AM · Mar 13, 2026

Hegseth: "We will keep pushing, keep advancing. No quarter, no mercy for our enemies."

No quarter is the refusal to take prisoners and instead just execute everyone. It's been considered a war crime for over a century.

Matt Novak (@paleofuture.bsky.social) 2026-03-13T15:36:46.421Z
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