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insofar as their interpretation does not constitute an obstacle to the use, according to internationallaw, of the means which it considers indispensable for the protection of its civilian populationagainst grave, clear and deliberate violations of the 1949 Geneva Conventions and of AP I by theenemy. 22418.18.4 Practical Considerations in the Use of Reprisals. Apart from the strict legalrequirements for the resort to reprisal, it will be important to consider the potential practicalconsequences of the use of reprisals that may counsel strongly against taking such measures.Practical considerations, including longer-term military or political consequences, may includethe following factors:• Taking reprisals may divert valuable and scarce military resources from the militarystruggle and may not be as effective militarily as steady adherence to the law.• Reprisals will usually have an adverse impact on the attitudes of governments notparticipating in the conflict.• Reprisals may only strengthen enemy morale and will to resist.• Reprisals frequently lead only to further unwanted escalation of the conflict by anadversary or a vicious cycle of counter-reprisals.• Reprisals may render resources of an adversary less able to contribute to therehabilitation of an area after the cessation of hostilities. 225by Additional Protocol I and in particular its Articles 51 and 52 with all means admissible under international law inorder to prevent any further violation.”); Italy, Statement on Ratification of AP I, Feb. 27, 1986, 1425 UNTS 438,440 (“Italy will react to serious and systematic violations by an enemy of the obligations imposed by AdditionalProtocol I and in particular its Articles 51 and 52 with all means admissible under international law in order toprevent any further violation.”).224 France, Statement on Ratification of AP I, translated in SCHINDLER & TOMAN, THE LAWS OF ARMED CONFLICTS:A COLLECTION OF CONVENTIONS, RESOLUTIONS, AND OTHER DOCUMENTS 800, 801 (2004) (“The Government ofthe French Republic declares that it will apply the provisions of paragraph 8 of Article 51 insofar as theirinterpretation does not constitute an obstacle to the use, according to international law, of the means which itconsiders indispensable for the protection of its civilian population against grave, clear and deliberate violations ofthe Geneva Conventions and of the Protocol by the enemy.”).225 1976 AIR FORCE PAMPHLET 110-31 10-7d (“In addition to the legal requirements which regulate resort toreprisals, there are various practical factors which governments will consider before taking reprisals. The relativeimportance of these factors depends upon the degree and kind of armed conflict, the character of the adversary andits resources, and the importance of states not participating in hostilities. These considerations including thefollowing: (1) Taking reprisals may divert valuable and scarce military resources from the military struggle andmay not be as effective militarily as steady adherence to the law. (2) Reprisals will usually have an adverse impacton the attitudes of governments not participating in the conflict. (3) Reprisals may only strengthen enemy moraleand will to resist. (4) Reprisals frequently lead only to further unwanted escalation of the conflict by an adversary.Accordingly, an adversary’s ability to retaliate is an important factor. (5) Reprisals may render resources of anadversary less able to contribute to the rehabilitation of an area after the cessation of hostilities. (6) The threat ofreprisals is usually more effective than their actual use. (7) Reprisals, to be effective, should be carried out speedilyand must be kept under control. They will be ineffective if random, excessive or prolonged. (8) In any event, thedecision to employ reprisals would be reached only as a matter of specific national policy. The immediate1099