What is a White Flag?

Introduction White flags have had different meanings throughout history and depending on the locale. The White Flag The white flag is an internationally recognised protective sign of truce or ceasefire, and for negotiation. It is also used to symbolise surrender, since it is often the weaker party which requests the negotiation. It is also flown… Read More

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What is Debellatio?

Introduction The term “debellatio” or “debellation” (Latin “defeating, or the act of conquering or subduing”, literally, “warring (the enemy) down”, from Latin bellum “war”) designates the end of war caused by complete destruction of a hostile state. Israeli law-school professor Eyal Benvenisti defines it as “a situation in which a party to a conflict has… Read More

What is Unconditional Surrender?

Introduction An unconditional surrender is a surrender in which no guarantees are given to the surrendering party. It is often demanded with the threat of complete destruction, extermination or annihilation or simply put with the threat of erasing one completely as the only alternative. In modern times, unconditional surrenders most often include guarantees provided by… Read More

What are the Honours of War?

Introduction The honours of war are a set of privileges that are granted to a defeated army during the surrender ceremony. The honours symbolise the valour of the defeated army, and grew into a custom during the age of early modern warfare. Typically a surrendering garrison was permitted to march out with drums beating and… Read More

What is a Peace Treaty?

Introduction A peace treaty is an agreement between two or more hostile parties, usually countries or governments, which formally ends a state of war between the parties. It is different from an armistice, which is an agreement to stop hostilities; a surrender, in which an army agrees to give up arms; or a ceasefire or… Read More