Good post, jmm, just a couple of quick questions which will show my ignorance:

1. Are you sure that "Handbook on the Law of Naval Operations" applied to this mission? Does the law follow the people (SEALs) or does the location of action determine the governing law?

2. I'm lazy. Could you throw up the definitions of "lawful combatant" and and "unlawful combatant" as used in the AUMF?