The problem is not that our soldiers don't understand them. They do. In fact, the Geneva Conventions are, by all accounts, drilled into our soldiers' heads at several points in their training and again while they are in active service. If anything, our soldiers are made hyperaware of their obligations to enemy soldiers under the conventions to which we voluntarily adhere.

However, Islamists do not adhere to those rules. In fact, as I have said often enough here, they use our adherence to those rules as a weapon to harm us further. I think it is extremely naive to think that by flagellating ourselves and demanding perfection from our soldiers we are impressing people who have no problem sawing someone's heads off with a knife and videotaping it. In fact, I not only believe it's naive but dangerously ignorant of the world around.

If we're going to be good citizens of the world, we need to see the word as it really is instead of how we wish to see it.

The Geneva Conventions and international law are complex; one of the best ways to help people—both from the United States and overseas—understand the importance of respecting them is to ensure they are taught in schools.

***There's a petition out now– Protect the Vulnerable in War: Teach the Geneva Conventions– found at http://bit.ly/RCpetition Sign now to ensure people understand the Geneva Conventions.***