ABSTRACT
This chapter presents the meaning of each term in the following order: nature, location, use and purpose. The meaning of the nature criterion appears almost obvious and uncomplicated. The determination of the nature condition is the starting point in assessing objects. The satisfaction of this criterion implies there is no need to verify whether the other criteria are met. Two key qualities provide the essence of the nature criterion. One relates to the intrinsic feature of the object involved. The second requires this feature to be exclusively military. The Air and Missile Warfare (AMW) Manual gives the example of the Swiss Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sports (FDCPS), whose civil protection and sports sections are dedicated exclusively to civilian purposes. Completing an artificial analysis of each criterion separately may result in a distorted and incoherent view that does not take into account the possible relationship or conflict between the criteria.
