Not merely a
political label, but a term well established in
international law by the
Geneva Convention.
Its use is most often subject to political considerations: The United States, though one of the founders of the regime of international law--for which all of us should indeed be grateful--now feels that as it comes to fruition, it is to be excepted from the provisions of this regime.
As we will see the trials in the former Yugoslavia for crimes against humanity, and many were committed, we will see no trials with Americans accused, though there are many documented cases of noncombatants being killed and maimed by Americans.
And this is not to mention the civilian infrastructure that was levelled.