Opening Remarks

• Author: Arthur Cebrowski
• Position: Vice Admiral
• Pages: 3

The Naval War College is thrilled to have such a distinguished and diverse group of participants in this colloquium. You represent the preeminent international law and ethics scholars and the top military lawyers and warfighters from the United States and at least ten of our friends and allies-including Australia, Belgium, Canada, the Netherlands, Germany, Israel,

Italy, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.

This colloquium, Legal and Ethical Lessons of NATO's Kosovo Campaign, is unique in that it is the first time that warfighters and international law scholars alike have gathered to specifically address the jus in bello issues that arose during Operation Allied Force. The opportunity to study, reflect, discuss and debate the issues involved is a rare one that must be seized with zeal and determination. The mission for this colloquium is simple: to examine the legal and ethical lessons of NATO's Kosovo Campaign-focusing exclusively on the jus in bello aspect of the campaign. Notice that we have not said lessons learned, for only the future will reveal if they have in fact been learned. Your work will lay the foundation that is necessary for policy makers and warfighters to comply with international law today, tomorrow and for years into the future.

The Information Age and Modem Warfare How does law and ethics impact where we are headed with moder warfare? We here at the US Naval War College, whether looking at ancient battles or modern technology, always ask the question: what are the implications for the military and its activities in the future? Admiral Jay Johnson, the former Chief of Naval Operations for the United States Navy, has described the future as being shaped by three increasing and irreversible trends: networking, greater globalization and economic interdependence, and technology assimilation. Each has enormous implications for militaries and societies throughout the world.

Obviously, these trends have enormous...