Preface

• Author: Raul A. 'Pete' Pedrozo - Daria P. Wollschlaeger
• Position: Associate Professor, International Law Department - Colonel, US Army, Judge Advocate General's Corps
• Pages: xxiii-xxxv

Preface

FromJune 22 to 24, 2010 the Naval War College hosted over one hundred and

eighty renowned international scholars and practitioners, military and civil-

ian, and students representing government and academic institutions to partici-

pate in aconference examining anumber of international law issues arising from

the changing character of war. The conference featured opening, luncheon and

closing addresses, as well as five panel discussions addressing specific legal issues

that relate to the changing character of war. Panelist comments were summarized

by acommentator, followed by questions from attendees. These discussions re-

sulted in detailed examinations of key issues.

The following conference summary was prepared by Commander James Caley,

JAGC, US Navy, amember of the Navy Reserve unit that supports the Naval War

College's International Law Department. The summary recapitulates the high-

lights of each of the conference speakers' presentations. As co-editors, we are

deeply indebted to Commander Caley for his attention to detail and assistance in

facilitating the publication of this "Blue Book." We would also be remiss if we did

not thank Captain Ralph Thomas, JAGC, US Navy (Ret.), for his outstanding sup-

port and dedication in editing the submissions for this volume of the International

Law Studies series. We also extend our sincere appreciation to Susan Meyer of the

Naval War College's Desktop Publishing Division for expertly preparing the page

proofs. Additionally, we would like to thank Albert Fassbender and Shannon Cole

for their excellent work in proofreading the conference papers. The quality of this

volume is areflection of their professionalism and outstanding expertise.

Opening Address

Dr. Nicholas Rostow, aformer Legal Adviser to the National Security Council, de-

livered the opening address. Focusing on what some refer to as targeted killings and

others call extrajudicial executions, Dr. Rostow critically examined the interplay

between the law of armed conflict (or international humanitarian law) and the

burgeoning body ofhuman rights law. Dr. Rostow's remarks suggested that the in-

terjection of human rights law into armed conflict has created dangerous and divi-

sive ambiguity in, and uncertainty as to, what law should apply and how, the effect

of which will be to worsen, not ameliorate, the nature of war.