@isaackuo @cstross @graydon @dr2chase Well yeah (it's pretty clear that other players who like to be thought of as less evil often prefer to see it as "did we get caught?" too).

But fundamentally the whole idea of visibly-a-uniform is to separate regulars (the ones in obvious uniform) from civilians (supposed not to be fair game) and irregulars ("fair game" for worse treatment because they threaten the distinction, but also not uncommon: a lot of important actions in WW2 were achieved by allied irregulars). If the whole concept is under threat by military developments as well as political ones (one of the combatants you're referring to has been actively eroding it for decades where they are), it's worth noting the transition because it means we're headed somewhere that nobody could realistically sustain it when they're engaged in genuine defence.