War on the Rocks

When Not to Obey Orders

During the Austro-Prussian War of 1866, a Prussian officer defended himself from reprimand by arguing that he was simply following orders. His commander, Prince Frederick Charles, reportedly replied: ...
Medical Xpress

Obeying orders dulls our sense of moral responsibility, brain scans reveal

A study analyzed the brain activity of military officer cadets and civilians while they were making moral decisions and concluded that the perception of being the author of our actions and their ...
Phys.org

Just follow orders or obey the law? What US troops told us about refusing illegal commands

As the Trump administration carries out what many observers say are illegal military strikes against vessels in the Caribbean allegedly smuggling drugs, six Democratic members of Congress issued a ...
Washington Examiner

Pentagon cites reports Russian military has ‘refused to obey orders’ in Donbas

There have been “anecdotal reports” that some Russian military members have refused orders from their superiors in Ukraine, according to a senior U.S. defense official. The new details emanating from ...
The New York Times

THE CONDUCT OF MILITARY OPERATIONS.; The Duty of a General He Must Obey Orders from His Government In the FieldHe Must Act According to Circumstances Historical Examples.

His death, sacrificed to orders from the Admiralty at Amsterdam, was equivalent to many defeats. HANNIBAL, with despair in his heart and the certainty of a fatal result, obeyed orders from Carthage to ...