The hottest War ethics Substack posts right now

The Allied bombing of Dresden caused huge civilian suffering and became a powerful example used to question the morality of bombing cities in war.
Histories of Dresden are contested and were shaped by political agendas, so whether the raid counts as a war crime or something like ‘genocide’ remains debated among historians.
The raid was ordered to disrupt German transport for the eastern front and was authorised while Churchill was at Yalta, and the bomber crews faced extreme danger and moral unease because they knew their missions would kill many civilians.

Israel is seen as always acting in self-defense, never as the aggressor in conflicts. It's believed that any attack is just a reaction to past events or a way to prevent future threats.
Criticism of Israel's actions is often viewed as hate towards Jewish people. There's a belief that anyone who speaks against Israel does so out of malicious intent.
The media and official narratives tend to defend Israel while painting its opponents in a negative light, suggesting that it’s wrong to question these portrayals.

In war, understanding the strategy does not excuse us from grappling with the moral consequences.
The necessities of war can lead to doing monstrous deeds that require a moral accounting.
It's crucial to acknowledge the moral dilemmas and complexities of conflicts, even when actions deemed necessary have devastating consequences.

Many civilians in Gaza have been killed by Israeli bombings, raising moral questions about the actions taken. People are encouraged to think about how they would feel if similar actions were taken against their own citizens.
The intentional killing of civilians in war is seen as wrong, and the idea of proportionality is important. If a military action causes more civilian deaths than it saves, it could be considered murder.
The perception of value in lives matters; allowing harm to a larger group to save a smaller group is viewed as immoral. Ethically, states should not sacrifice innocent lives for their own interests.

Trauma affects everyone, not just the victims. It's important to recognize how painful experiences can impact our hearts and minds.
People can lose their moral compass when they're hurt. Understanding and compassion can help heal these wounds and improve how we treat others.
It's vital to connect with others and take care of ourselves. Sharing feelings and practicing self-care can help us cope with the pain we see in the world.

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