- REDIRECT
In the context of
war,
perfidy is a form of
deception in which one side promises to act in good faith (such as by raising a flag of truce) with the intention of breaking that promise once the enemy is exposed (such as by coming out of
cover to capture the "surrendering" enemy). Perfidy constitutes a breach of the
laws of war and so is a
war crime, as it degrades the protections and mutual restraints developed in the interest of all parties,
combatants, and
civilians.