soft target

is official language for an undefended civilian one.

Recast in definition form from: “… been authorized to attack “soft targets,” that is, undefended civilian …”

was the official order to US-backed forces in Nicaragua: hit the undefended civilians and avoid the army.

Recast in definition form from: “… terrorist war, while also issuing official orders to its forces …”

are a terrorist abomination when Al Qaeda chooses them, and an official instruction when Washington's proxies in Nicaragua were told to hit them.

Recast in definition form from: “… The story should at once recall Washington’s official instructions to …”

soft target, n.Definitions