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47 Geo. J. Int'l L. 241 (2015-2016)
Redefining Perfidy

handle is hein.journals/geojintl47 and id is 244 raw text is: NOTES REDEFINING PERFIDY MATTHEWJ. GREER* ABSTRACT Perhaps all war is based on deception, but throughout history, the law of war has limited the use of certain deceptive tactics. Developed long ago with a focus on honor among belligerents, the law of war's prohibition of perfidy has failed to adapt to modern warfare. Moreover, its lack of focus on external actors, i.e., non-combatants, allows deceptive action even where it plainly contravenes the fundamental principles of the law of war. This Note redefines perfidy using the core aims of the law of war: distinction, proportionality, and military necessity. The hope is that an updated perfidy definition will provide greater guidance to battlefield operators, lessen war's death and destruction, and ultimately help bring about swift and peaceful ends to armed conflicts. I. INTRODUCTION .................................... 242 II. THE LAW OF W AR .................................. 243 A. General Principles .............................. 243 B. Placing Perfidy in the Law of War Framework ........... 245 III. DEFINING PERFIDY AND RUSE: WHERE WE ARE AND How WE GOT HERE ......................................... 245 A. Early Definitions ............................... 247 B. Modern Definitions ............................. 249 1. International Agreements ................... 249 2. State Definitions ............................ 251 IV. WHAT DO UNLAWFUL PERFIDY AND LAWFUL RUSE ACTUALLY LOOK LIKE? ........................................ 253 A. Perfidy in Practice .............................. 253 1. Additional Protocol I Examples ............... 253 2. Historical Examples ......................... 256 B. Ruse in Practice ................................ 258 1. Traditionally Accepted Practices .............. 259 2. Historical Examples ......................... 261 * J.D., magna cum laude, Georgetown University Law Center, 2015; B.S., cum laude, University of Vermont, 2010. The author thanks Judge James E. Baker for the inspiration for this Note and for his career of dedicated service to the country. The author also thanks Professor Frances DeLaurentis and the 2014-15 Senior Writing Fellows for their invaluable commentary on earlier drafts and the staff of the Georgetown Journal of International Law for their insight and editorial support. © 2015, MatthewJ. Greer.