--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: There are pros and cons about the policy…" description: "\"There are pros and cons about the policy decision whether to follow the Geneva Conventions in a war where they do not legally apply. Among the pros mig..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a50/john-yoo-14735_ability_there-are-pros-and-cons-about-the-policy_2875743.jpg" --- # There are pros and cons about the policy decision whether… ![“There are pros and cons about the policy decision whether to follow the Geneva Conventions in a war where they do not legally apply. Among the pros might be benefits for America's image, its ability to argue in future conflicts that the Conventions should be followed, and training soldiers to…” quote by John Yoo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a50/john-yoo-14735_ability_there-are-pros-and-cons-about-the-policy_2875743.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a50/john-yoo-14735_ability_there-are-pros-and-cons-about-the-policy_2875743.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a50/john-yoo-14735_ability_there-are-pros-and-cons-about-the-policy_2875743.jpg) > “There are pros and cons about the policy decision whether to follow the Geneva Conventions in a war where they do not legally apply. Among the pros might be benefits for America's image, its ability to argue in future conflicts that the Conventions should be followed, and training soldiers to follow only the Geneva standards. Among the cons might be greater security and safety for our troops who capture and detain al Qaeda operatives and the ability to gather more actionable intelligence swiftly.” [John Yoo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-yoo/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Debating whether to apply Geneva Conventions when not legally required, weighing moral image against tactical advantage. **In simple terms:** Weigh moral image vs. tactical gain. Key Takeaway Consider ethical costs before policy. Themes ethics military strategy public perception law security Mood reflective serious Type analytical policy When to use this quote - policy making - military training - intelligence gathering - public diplomacy Key Concepts humanitarian law realpolitik deterrence Questions to Reflect On - Is moral authority more valuable than immediate security? - How does selective compliance affect long‑term credibility? A Different Perspective Applying norms may limit operational flexibility and risk. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Ability](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ability/) [Conflict](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/conflict/) [Decision](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/decision/) [Geneva convention](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/geneva-convention/) [Our troops](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/our-troops/) [Pros and cons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pros-and-cons/) [Safety](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/safety/) [Security](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/security/) [Soldier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/soldier/) [Training](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/training/) [War](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/war/) ## Related quotes > [That is because the conflict with al Qaeda is not governed by the Geneva Conventions, which applies only to international conflicts between states that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-yoo/that-is-because-the-conflict-with-al-qaeda-is-not-governed-by-the/) [John Yoo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-yoo/) > [Human-rights advocates, for example, claim that the mistreatment of Iraqi prisoners is of a piece with President Bush's 2002 decision to deny al Qaeda…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-yoo/human-rights-advocates-for-example-claim-that-the-mistreatment-of/) [John Yoo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-yoo/) > [The United States of course wants to follow the highest standards of conduct with regard to enemy combatants who follow the rules of war.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-yoo/the-united-states-of-course-wants-to-follow-the-highest-standards-of/) [John Yoo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-yoo/) > [It is important to recognize the differences between the war in Iraq and the war on terrorism. The treatment of those detained at Abu…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-yoo/it-is-important-to-recognize-the-differences-between-the-war-in-iraq/) [John Yoo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-yoo/) > [Human rights advocates, for example, claim that the mistreatment of Iraqi prisoners is of a piece with President Bush's 2002 decision to deny al…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-yoo/human-rights-advocates-for-example-claim-that-the-mistreatment-of-2/) [John Yoo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-yoo/) > [I haven't decided if he deserved to eat bread made out of sticks or live in a rancid puddle, probably because I haven't made…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-vowell/i-haven-t-decided-if-he-deserved-to-eat-bread-made-out-of-sticks-or/) [Sarah Vowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-vowell/) > [Not enough countries, not enough armies, not enough armed groups are abiding by the fundamental human values enshrined in the Geneva Conventions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-maurer/not-enough-countries-not-enough-armies-not-enough-armed-groups-are/) [Peter Maurer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-maurer/) > [We need to understand that the Geneva Conventions are not just some historical documents born of another time, created for another purpose.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-maurer/we-need-to-understand-that-the-geneva-conventions-are-not-just-some/) [Peter Maurer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-maurer/) > [What's happened at the Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq is one of the grossest violations of human rights under the Geneva Conventions that we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carlos-fuentes/what-s-happened-at-the-abu-ghraib-prison-in-iraq-is-one-of-the/) [Carlos Fuentes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carlos-fuentes/) > [Military police know what to do, they know the Geneva Conventions, and their objective is to provide a safe, secure, fair environment for prisoners…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janis-karpinski/military-police-know-what-to-do-they-know-the-geneva-conventions-and/) [Janis Karpinski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janis-karpinski/) > [But in Afghanistan, the general rule was that since you were fighting the Taliban, which was not a lawful government force, the Geneva Conventions…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yaroslav-trofimov/but-in-afghanistan-the-general-rule-was-that-since-you-were-fighting/) [Yaroslav Trofimov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yaroslav-trofimov/) > [Prisoners, according to the law, who are non-U.S. citizens and are detained outside the U.S. - including in Guantanamo Bay - are denied 'habeas…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noah-feldman/prisoners-according-to-the-law-who-are-non-u-s-citizens-and-are/) [Noah Feldman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noah-feldman/) > [It is very clear from the text of the Geneva Conventions that families have the right to know about the whereabouts of their missing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-maurer/it-is-very-clear-from-the-text-of-the-geneva-conventions-that/) [Peter Maurer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-maurer/) > [Al Qaeda doesn't abide by the Geneva Conventions, so in my opinion, they should not be afforded the protections of them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brad-thor/al-qaeda-doesn-t-abide-by-the-geneva-conventions-so-in-my-opinion/) [Brad Thor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brad-thor/) > [I didn't plan that there'd be this awful situation in which our European governments, just to start the story off, breaking the Geneva conventions…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vanessa-redgrave/i-didn-t-plan-that-there-d-be-this-awful-situation-in-which-our/) [Vanessa Redgrave](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vanessa-redgrave/) ## More by John Yoo > [American soldiers had to guard prisoners on the inside while receiving mortar and weapons fire from the outside. Guantanamo is distant from any battlefield,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-yoo/american-soldiers-had-to-guard-prisoners-on-the-inside-while/) [John Yoo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-yoo/) > [That is because the conflict with al Qaeda is not governed by the Geneva Conventions, which applies only to international conflicts between states that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-yoo/that-is-because-the-conflict-with-al-qaeda-is-not-governed-by-the/) [John Yoo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-yoo/) > [A decision by the Supreme Court to subject Guantanamo to judicial review would eliminate these advantages.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-yoo/a-decision-by-the-supreme-court-to-subject-guantanamo-to-judicial/) [John Yoo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-yoo/) > [This is not to condone torture, which is still prohibited by the Torture Convention and federal criminal law.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-yoo/this-is-not-to-condone-torture-which-is-still-prohibited-by-the/) [John Yoo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-yoo/) > [We can guess that the unacceptable conduct of the soldiers at Abu Ghraib resulted in part from the dangerous state of affairs on the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-yoo/we-can-guess-that-the-unacceptable-conduct-of-the-soldiers-at-abu/) [John Yoo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-yoo/) > [Nonetheless, Article 5 makes clear that if an Iraqi civilian who is not a member of the armed forces, has engaged in attacks on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-yoo/nonetheless-article-5-makes-clear-that-if-an-iraqi-civilian-who-is/) [John Yoo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-yoo/) > [I believe that the power to declare war is most important in limiting the powers of the national government in regard to the rights…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-yoo/i-believe-that-the-power-to-declare-war-is-most-important-in-limiting/) [John Yoo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-yoo/) > [In light of the Abu Ghraib prison scandal, critics are arguing that abuses of Iraqi prisoners are being produced by a climate of disregard…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-yoo/in-light-of-the-abu-ghraib-prison-scandal-critics-are-arguing-that/) [John Yoo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-yoo/) > [There was nothing wrong - and everything right - with analyzing a law that establishes boundaries on interrogation in the war on terrorism.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-yoo/there-was-nothing-wrong-and-everything-right-with-analyzing-a-law/) [John Yoo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-yoo/) > [President Bush and his commanders announced early in the conflict that the Conventions applied.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-yoo/president-bush-and-his-commanders-announced-early-in-the-conflict/) [John Yoo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-yoo/) > [Congress has created and funded a huge peacetime military that has substantial abilities to wage offensive operations, and it has not placed restrictions on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-yoo/congress-has-created-and-funded-a-huge-peacetime-military-that-has/) [John Yoo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-yoo/) > [It is also worth asking whether the strict limitations of Geneva make sense in a war against terrorists.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-yoo/it-is-also-worth-asking-whether-the-strict-limitations-of-geneva-make/) [John Yoo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-yoo/) > [The Justices are currently considering a case, argued last month, which seeks to extend the writ of habeas corpus to al Qaeda and Taliban…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-yoo/the-justices-are-currently-considering-a-case-argued-last-month-which/) [John Yoo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-yoo/) > [I believe that the power to declare war is most important in limiting the powers of the national government in regard to the rights…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-yoo/i-believe-that-the-power-to-declare-war-is-most-important-in-limiting-2/) [John Yoo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-yoo/) > [Without territory, it does not even have the resources to provide detention facilities for prisoners, even if it were interested in holding captured POWs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-yoo/without-territory-it-does-not-even-have-the-resources-to-provide/) [John Yoo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-yoo/) [Explore all 45 John Yoo quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-yoo/) ## More Ability quotes > [I don't think there's a direct correlation between my sexuality and my skiing ability. But I think because I was so concerned about it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gus-kenworthy/i-don-t-think-there-s-a-direct-correlation-between-my-sexuality-and/) [Gus Kenworthy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gus-kenworthy/) > [“the importance of ability. The things that make a great job great, I discovered, are rare and valuable. If you want them in your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cal-newport/the-importance-of-ability-the-things-that-make-a-great-job-great-i/) [Cal Newport](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cal-newport/) > [Ambition drives you on, ability certainly helps, but the fickle finger of fate and luck are great things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fergus-henderson/ambition-drives-you-on-ability-certainly-helps-but-the-fickle-finger/) [Fergus Henderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fergus-henderson/) > [The ability of the gospel to unite us on common strengths and common truths is one of the great miracles . . . of the gospel.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-r-holland/the-ability-of-the-gospel-to-unite-us-on-common-strengths-and-common/) [Jeffrey R. Holland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-r-holland/) > [Maybe law enforcement would like the ability to turn on the camera on your Mac.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-cook/maybe-law-enforcement-would-like-the-ability-to-turn-on-the-camera-on/) [Tim Cook](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-cook/) > [I've seen guys come along with more ability - they've been faster or bigger or stronger - but they never worked hard to develop…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-largent/i-ve-seen-guys-come-along-with-more-ability-they-ve-been-faster-or/) [Steve Largent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-largent/) > [The youth of India has the strength to move the entire World with a click of a mouse, we have generated that ability!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/narendra-modi/the-youth-of-india-has-the-strength-to-move-the-entire-world-with-a/) [Narendra Modi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/narendra-modi/) > [Time hath not yet so dried this blood of mine, Nor age so eat up my invention, Nor fortune made such havoc of my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/time-hath-not-yet-so-dried-this-blood-of-mine-nor-age-so-eat-up-my/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [An absolutely necessary part of a writer's equipment, almost as necessary as talent, is the ability to stand up under punishment, both the punishment…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/irwin-shaw/an-absolutely-necessary-part-of-a-writer-s-equipment-almost-as/) [Irwin Shaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/irwin-shaw/) > [I'd be more frightened by not using whatever abilities I'd been given. I'd be more frightened by procrastination and laziness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denzel-washington/i-d-be-more-frightened-by-not-using-whatever-abilities-i-d-been-given/) [Denzel Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denzel-washington/) > [Bring into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ. Take what I cannot give: my heart, body, thoughts, time, abilities, money, health, strength,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-prentiss/bring-into-captivity-every-thought-to-the-obedience-of-christ-take/) [Elizabeth Prentiss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-prentiss/) > [You can only do the work to the very best of your ability.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christine-baranski/you-can-only-do-the-work-to-the-very-best-of-your-ability/) [Christine Baranski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christine-baranski/) > [Judge a person not by his ability to make money but by his ability to retain it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vikrant-parsai/judge-a-person-not-by-his-ability-to-make-money-but-by-his-ability-to/) [Vikrant Parsai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vikrant-parsai/) > [Balance is the ability to be happy in the midst of the most chaotic or even boring or transient circumstance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/balance-is-the-ability-to-be-happy-in-the-midst-of-the-most-chaotic/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [Bobby had faith in my ability as a singer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julie-london/bobby-had-faith-in-my-ability-as-a-singer/) [Julie London](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julie-london/) [Browse all 9,990 Ability quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ability/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "There are pros and cons about the policy decision whether to follow the Geneva Conventions in a war where they do not legally apply. 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