A Case for Military Proportionality: Disabling Nuclear Plants

This special commentary argues that striking nuclear and other hazardous civilian infrastructure is often militarily counterproductive and should be avoided not just for legal and moral reasons but because strikes can defeat achieving one’s war aims. Unlike most commentaries, which treat proportionality as an abstract legal constraint, this article shows how proportionality can serve as a concrete tool for winning wars and maintaining alliances. The article draws on military history, current targeting doctrines, and recent war games. The analysis gives military planners practical guidance for how and why to disable certain civilian targets without undermining their own operations.