Foreword

AuthorJames Wisecup
PositionRear Admiral, U.S. Navy, President, Naval War College
Pagesxvii-xviii
Foreword
TheInternational Law Studies ("Blue Book") series was initiated by the Naval
War College in 1901 to publish essays, treaties and articles that contribute to
the broader understanding of international law. This, the eighty-sixth volume of
the "Blue Book" series, is acompilation of scholarly papers and remarks derived
from the proceedings ofaconference hosted here at the Naval War College on June
23-25, 2009 and entitled "The War in Iraq: ALegal Analysis."
The June 2009 "War in Iraq" conference served as asecond and "companion"
proceeding to the Experts Workshop "The War in Afghanistan: ALegal Analy-
sis," hosted by the Naval War College in June 2008 and the resulting scholarly
works of which appear in Volume 85 of the "Blue Book" series. The purpose of
the conference, similar to the previous year's Afghanistan workshop, was to pro-
vide acomprehensive legal examination of the armed conflict in Iraq during the
second Gulf War that began in 2003. The issues were examined by five panels of
experts, addressing topics that spanned the entire spectrum ofthe conflict and the
re-establishment of Iraqi sovereignty. Panelists discussed legal issues associated
with the initial decision to use armed force, the manner in which force was em-
ployed, the legal framework and evolution of military activities from invasion to
occupation, detention and counterinsurgency operations, as well as policy and legal
issues associated with the establishment of the rule of law and return of gover-
nance to the people of Iraq.
Renowned international academics and legal advisers, both military and civil-
ian, representing military, diplomatic, non-governmental and academic institu-
tions from the international community contributed to the conference and this
"Blue Book." Readers and researchers will find within this volume adetailed study
of the Iraq conflict, as well as its profound implications on the ongoing develop-
ment of international law, the law of armed conflict and military operations.
The conference and the "Blue Book" were made possible with generous support
from the Naval War College Foundation, the Center for National Security Law,
University ofVirginia School of Law and the Israel Yearbook on Human Rights. The
International Law Department ofthe Center for Naval Warfare Studies, Naval War
College hosted the event.
On behalf of the Secretary of the Navy, the Chief of Naval Operations and the
Commandant of the Marine Corps, Iextend our thanks and gratitude to all the

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