War is hell. It kills thousands, severely injures many more, and brutalizes and emotionally traumatizes everyone touched by it, often dragging everyone involved down for decades, if not centuries. It should be avoided whenever possible. But if fought to stop oppression and violence and fought according to the tenets of Just War Doctrine, the damage is minimized and the overall net result may be somewhat positive.
To all appearances, Ukraine and its allies (including the United States) have for the most part adhered to these tenets in the current war. This has given it the moral high ground and increased the chances that Ukrainians will win this war and also that they will be able to retain their humanity and not be overtaken by vicious savagery and militarism. Ukraine and its western allies may also be able to avoid the arrogance and cruelty of a triumphant militaristic victory. Just as West Germany and Japan were reformed and reconstituted after World War II, if Ukraine and its allies behave well, then after Russia is defeated, Russia might also be led to shed its brutal, militaristic, and corrupt ways; build compassionate and democratic civic structures; and eventually become a respected member of the world community.
The Tenets of Just War Doctrine
To adhere to the tenets of Just War Doctrine, a country must only engage in war defensively. The decision to enter war must be decided by a democratically selected body (not dictated by an elite) and only for just purposes to stop great and immediate injustice. It must be the last resort after honestly trying all other means. The war must be fought only against combatants and military targets; civilians must be protected as much as possible. Terrorizing, mutilating, raping, torturing, kidnapping or otherwise brutalizing civilians and prisoners of war in any way is not permitted (see the Geneva Convention protocols). Combatants are also not permitted to use chemical, biological, or nuclear or any other indiscriminant weapons.
At the conclusion of a war, countries must continue to treat the defeated country fairly, without cruelty or brutalization as they negotiate peace treaties, engage in reconstruction and environmental remediation, counsel combatants and civilians through their Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), and conduct war crimes trials. War reparations must not be punitive and instead must focus on building democratic structures and developing a tolerant and compassionate culture.
Unjust Wars
History is filled with wars that have not adhered to Just War Doctrine — many (most?) being absolutely unjust as they were waged to support greedy stealing of land, resources, and/or slaves and included unjustified and/or surprise first attacks, cruel attacks on civilians, mistreatment of prisoners of war and civilians, and imposition of vicious reparations. Most wars also include efforts to spread nasty stereotypical propaganda demeaning opponents and efforts to encourage extremely arrogant militaristic chest-thumping among allies. Generally, war injuries, especially trauma and brain injuries, have not been treated well, leaving thousands or millions of walking wounded who pass their trauma (anger, fears, and prejudices) on to future generations.
All of the wars that the United States have been involved with have been unjust in some ways and many have been unjust in all aspects: conception, implementation, and resolution.
Moving toward a world with less lying, bullying, oppression, exploitation, brutality, and violence is extremely difficult. But “reluctant warriors” waging war according to Just War Doctrine is often more effective than granting concessions to extortionist bullies or doing nothing, and it is certainly more effective than waging unjust wars in ethically unjust ways.