Circumstances usually dictate that reprisals can only be taken against people innocent of the original violation, which increases the probability that the reprisals will themselves be viewed as hostile acts, risking a vicious circle of violations by both sides.
Reprisals can only be taken against people innocent of the original violation. Circumstances usually dictate this. The reprisals will themselves be viewed as hostile acts. People innocent of the original violation increases the probability this. People innocent of the original violation were risking a vicious circle of violations by both sides.