There is no longer a such thing as a "just" war.

As my friend has pointed out that a just war is deemed to be morally or theologically justifiable. I am extending that definition as JUST WAR: a war that is deemed to be morally or theologically justifiable & which led to improvement of human society. But Just war theory is a doctrine which is getting evolved from many centuries now and almost all religious and ethnic society have the concept of just war in there respective manuscripts. For instance, Christian societies have been evolving the concept & one of the major writings of Hinduism i.e, Bhagvad Geeta justifies the war of Mahabharata. Modern just war guidance involves both the decision to go to war (jus ad bellum) and how to fight one (jus in bello). This latter set of criteria focuses on proportionality (how much force is used), targeting (avoiding non-combatants), and means (avoiding certain classes of weapons). The problem with just war theory is that it is too philosophical to implement. Also, the ethical reasons of war i.e, The Right or wrong depends on the perspective. To simplify this, I would reiterate a famous phrase 'One man's terrorist is another man's freedom fighter.' A majorly accepted definition of just war is What is a Just War? A war is only just if it is fought for a reason that is justified, and that carries sufficient moral weight. The country that wishes to use military force must demonstrate that there is a just cause to do so. Six conditions must be satisfied for a war to be considered just: 1. The war must be for a just cause. 2. The war must be lawfully declared by a lawful authority. 3. The intention behind the war must be good. 4. All other ways of resolving the problem should have been tried first. 5. There must be a reasonable chance of success. 6. The means used must be in proportion to the end that the war seeks to achieve. How should a Just War be fought? A war that starts as a Just War may stop being a Just War if the means used to wage it are inappropriate. 1. Innocent people and non-combatants should not be harmed. 2. Only appropriate force should be used. This applies to both the sort of force, and how much force is used. 3. Internationally agreed conventions regulating war must be obeyed. I would like to extend the point on the war as well. I agree to the below point "Wars are waged for trivial political and economic motivations, expansionist ideals, religious disagreements, and sundry other reasons, none of which reasons can justify the taking of human lives, as well as the destruction of land and homes." But some other reasons of wars have been nationalism, rights in society, Equality & others. I would agree with my friend in the notion that not all wars are justifiable wars. Most of the wars are resultants of expansionism & other reasons put forth. My opinion is that not all wars follow the just war principles but there have been armed conflicts in past which were justifiable. Further discussing on the carefully selected examples put forth by my friend 'The Instigator'. 1. Crimean War - I have not much idea about the proceedings of the war but whatever overview I have the war seems to be a result of expansionist ambitions of all major powers involved. And they do not seem to be justified. 2. World War 2 - No one can justify the World war 2 and its casualties. Till now it is the most terrifying human experience with wars. But what we are considering here is the Holocaust, the casualties of wars. The World war got triggered when Britain & France Declared war on Germany for its armed campaign against Poland. I personally think that the Declaration of war at that point of time by Britain & France on Germany was totally justifiable. We can debate on this point as well whether it was justified or not. 3. War on Afghanistan Afghanistan was in shatters before US invasion. It was a living hell from the 1980s itself and through the 90s under the rule of Taliban. The society under Taliban govt was a Patriarchal medieval society. I think an explosion and then light is better than decades of darkness in which Afghanistan was living in & continued to live in. The basic justification behind the was was an act which was unjustified. Some more of the instances in my judgement are close to just wars: 1. Revolutions There is a long list of revolutions occurred which in one way or another arose for the basic rights of people and society whether its nationalism or equality. American war of revolution carved out a nation which in today's times is at the helm of human society. The French revolution initiated the rise of social and political upheaval of France and in a way on modern history worldwide. Different set of independent revolutions against the imperial rules in the 20th century. 2. American Civil War The conflict which resulted in most heinous crimes of human society i.e, Slavery. 3. Napoleonic wars. The conflict between different coalitions of monarchies against the French Empire. These wars led to many developments such as rise of nationalism among various ethnicity as well as abolition of HRE. The just war is possible but as its outline is very subjective so a lot of factors comes into play while deciding whether a war is justifiable or not. But Human society is evolved to be so free minded and coherent & some justifiable wars have a strong role to play in this. "A just war is in the long run far better for a man's soul than the most prosperous peace" - Theodore Roosevelt