The Horrors of War and Pursuit of Justice

The evolving definition and prosecution of war crimes is the focus of a recent episode from the NPR podcast Throughline. The program traces the history of international efforts to hold individuals accountable for atrocities committed during armed conflict, beginning with the American Civil War and extending through the devastation of both World Wars to the present-day International Criminal Court at The Hague. The episode highlights a long and often fraught process of establishing legal frameworks and achieving justice for victims. It’s a crucial examination, particularly now, as international law faces renewed challenges and the very concept of universally accepted rules of engagement appears increasingly fragile. The podcast effectively demonstrates that defining “war crimes” isn’t simply a matter of identifying horrific acts, but a complex negotiation of power, morality, and political will. The original episode, initially titled “The Rules of War,” aired in 2024. Listeners can access bonus content and an ad-free experience by subscribing to Throughline+ through Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org/throughline.