Geneva Conventions “require that combatants obey four basic principles to receive POW [prisoner of war] status: They must operate under responsible command, wear uniforms, carry their arms openly, and obey the laws of war. Combatants must clearly distinguish themselves from civilians, and refrain from attacking civilians, so as to reduce the destruction of war on innocent noncombatants. Because of their record of launching deliberate, surprise attacks on civilian targets with no military value and their practice of disguising themselves as civilians, the January 22 [2002] [Office of Legal Counsel] opinion concluded, ‘Al Qaeda members have clearly demonstrated that they will not follow these basic requirements of lawful warfare.’ ”
– John Yoo, War By Other Means, Page 26