What are the two levels of discrimination?

What are the two levels of discrimination?

• A. Identifying allies and enemies
• B. Distinguishing between civilians and combatants
• C. Deciding between targets and determining an acceptable risk to noncombatants and bystanders
• D. Prioritizing high-value targets

Answer: (C)

Discrimination in warfare has two levels: first, deciding between valid targets and non-targets; second, assessing the acceptable risk to noncombatants and bystanders when engaging a target. The best answer captures both parts—choosing between targets (military objectives and combatants) while also determining how much civilian risk is acceptable in order to accomplish the mission. This aligns with the principles of distinction and proportionality that guide lawful force. The other options touch on related ideas—identifying allies and enemies, separating civilians from combatants, or prioritizing high-value targets—but they don’t describe the two-tier decision process inherent to discrimination.

Discrimination in warfare has two levels: first, deciding between valid targets and non-targets; second, assessing the acceptable risk to noncombatants and bystanders when engaging a target. The best answer captures both parts—choosing between targets (military objectives and combatants) while also determining how much civilian risk is acceptable in order to accomplish the mission. This aligns with the principles of distinction and proportionality that guide lawful force. The other options touch on related ideas—identifying allies and enemies, separating civilians from combatants, or prioritizing high-value targets—but they don’t describe the two-tier decision process inherent to discrimination.