I have to say something. AS a German, as a former soldier, as the descendant of many warriors, as a gentleman - I must.
The Geneva convention applies to combatans in parts and civilins in parts. Terrorism, or by that note irregular forces, are not enw to warfare. When Germany/Prussia took France in 1870-1871 there was a group known as the Franc Tieurs. They were irregular combatants - they were unrecognized civilian militia. They were treated accordingly by the Prussian Army, which on all other notes kept scrupulously to the rules of war. The French Government, despite its mistakes could not defend the Franc Tierus as it did not condone their existence. They were partisans. Combatants designated as partisans may be shoot out of hand. The Prussians for their part quelled public outcry in Berlin when the French shelled Saarbrucken - -the Military defended these actions
of its enemy stating that troops were in the city and it was therefore neccessary and proper to attack it.
There was a time when nations could act independently but still remain united on the proper conduct of affairs. Sadly, that day is gone.
My views on irregular combatants? Simple - -the same as they were dealt with before. In Russia, excesses were inexcuseable for invader as well as invaded, and this is not the place to dsicuss them. But partisans were shot as well they should have. Civilians who fought the Russians as Germany itself was besieged were likewise killed as insurgents. That was proper under the rules of war.
Does the United States have the right to do with as it pleases to insurgents - yes and no. The difference? I'll explain. If the United States wishes to annex and truly conquer Iraq and afghanistant and any other nation, then insurgents and irregular combatants can be dealt with according to precedence. However, if they wish to make a police action of it and not truly invade, then the insurgents are not truly rebelling against them, but against their own government. It is then an internal matter, one in which the US should not be involved.
The difference is verbage, I know. The problem is that the US is trying to do two things at once - - annex a country without doing so in name and form while enjoying the priveleges of a conquering state. It cannot be so. If they wish to execute insurgents and such, then they must assume the mantle of conqueror and all that is required as such.
[size=1]Requiem en Terra Pax[/size]