And while police investigations into alleged Australian war crimes continue, the story is far broader than one high-profile soldier, one platoon, one regiment, or even one military. Members of the storied Seal Team 6 have been accused of war crimes, including beheading and mutilating slain enemies. Green says “history teaches us that soldiers who commit war crimes often very sincerely believe what they are doing is right”. Executing bad guys is OK, no matter what.”Crompvoets argues that the connections across militaries between the “elite” special forces were hugely influential. Ledwidge argues that two lines of argument are often prosecuted in explaining, if not defending, the commission of war crimes.

Source: The Guardian June 01, 2021 17:26 UTC