As stated, the US plays by the rules WHEN it is convenient. Nothing in the Geneva Convention allows for illegal actions that in fact limits the numbers to be killed (net savings of life). The nuking of Japan was a decision that benefited the US not the "innocent" civilians of Japan. While the actions make complete since to me, they were beyond the bounds of war which we say we believe in. We should not be upset when someone else does not follow the rules.
So... we can warn a village in Afghanistan that the one Taliban among then must be made to stop fighting or the village will be wiped off the face of the earth? How American!
Brian