Under laws governing the use of force, militaries are prohibited from deliberately targeting civilians who do not pose an imminent threat of violence, even if those civilians are criminal suspects.
November 02, 2025
high
legal
Principle of use-of-force and international humanitarian law regarding targeting of civilians.
Strikes on power grids and other energy infrastructure can cause widespread blackouts and result in civilian injuries and deaths.
October 12, 2025
high
causal
General cause-and-effect relationship observed when energy infrastructure is targeted in conflict.
The U.S. Department of State and other guarantors of ceasefires can publicly warn parties that planned attacks targeting civilians would constitute a direct and grave violation of a ceasefire agreement and can demand that parties uphold ceasefire obligations.
high
diplomatic
Describes the role guarantor states or organizations can play in enforcing or upholding ceasefire terms through public statements and demands.
Remnants of past conflicts, such as buried land mines, can persist in former battlefield and border areas and continue to injure military personnel and civilians.
medium
general
Persistent explosive remnants of war pose ongoing safety risks in former conflict zones.