When the Canadian prime minister arrives at a NATO conference without any financial assistance and proceeds to criticize his allies for offering cluster munitions to Ukraine as inappropriate aid, it may be tempting to dismiss his statements. However, just as an alcoholic may have a valid point about excessive drinking, it is important to sometimes consider a message even if we dislike the messenger.
In the past, policymakers made a conscious effort to base their decisions on principles, particularly when it came to waging a just war. This concept was extensively discussed during the Middle Ages, disproving assumptions about that era being unenlightened or savage. The concept of just war can be divided into two main aspects, known as ius ad bellum and ius in bello.
Ius ad bellum focuses on the justification for going to war in the first place. It examines the moral and legal grounds for initiating armed conflict. On the other hand, ius in bello concerns itself with the principles of conducting a war justly. This aspect delves into the ethical considerations and the rules that should govern actions during a conflict. Both ius ad bellum and ius in bello are crucial aspects of the concept of just war.