Columbia Law Students Visit NWC's International Law Department

NEWPORT, R.I. - The U.S. Naval War College's (NWC) International Law Department (ILD) hosted representatives of Columbia University Law School's Human Rights Clinic for a discussion on targeting and collateral damage on Dec. 2.

                     

The Clinic exposes Columbia students to the practice of law in the international and cross-cultural context of human rights litigation and advocacy.  It conducts comparative research into the methodologies for calculating, minimizing, and investigating civilian casualties in the militaries of the United States and other nations with an eye to identifying best practices.

 

Led by Professor Naureen Shah, the visitors received an in-depth briefing on special operations targeting and practices by ILD's Army Maj. Matthew Hover, Judge Advocate. This was followed by a roundtable discussion led by ILD's Marine Corps Lt. Col. George Cadwalader with the participation of other military and civilian lawyers from various departments at the Naval War College and from the Naval Justice School.

 

In addition, three resident students in NWC's senior course with recent combat command experience in Afghanistan provided an operational perspective.  These three Marine Corps officers, Lt. Col. Jason Morris,  Lt. Col. Scott Leonard, and Lt. Col. Michael Moore offered invaluable insight into how combat leaders incorporate the law of armed conflict and counterinsurgency principles into planning and operations.

 

The event is part of the International Law Department's mission to create a bridge between military operators, military legal practitioners, and civilian academics.