| This is a question that goes way back
to the earliest times of ethical considerations of the concept of
war. To claim a moral justification for any war, certain conditions
are required. Some of these conditions are: the war must be in self-defense
or/and defense of others unjustly wronged; it must be the last resort
taken on after all other alternatives for a peaceful resolution are
exhausted; it must be with a good
intention, for instance, to correct a grave and public evil perpetrated
against the very basic rights of whole populations; the actual execution
of such wars must be humane --- the force used must be proportionate
to that used by the aggressor, that mercy be shown when the aggressor
surrenders, etc.; it must carefully guard against hurting any innocent
civilians in any way; and must be fought by a
legitimate authority.
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