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In this episode, we listen to Professor James Kraska, retired Navy JAG and current Charles H. Stockton Chair of International Maritime Law and Department Head, Stockton Center for International Law, U.S. Naval War College, talk about his motivation for joining the Navy and his unusual and continuing career progression that has remained center on international security law.
Part of the ongoing debate about the lawfulness of autonomy in military systems in the manner in which the technology integrates with and interacts with its human masters. The term Meaningful Human Control (or MHC) has garnered particular relevance in this debate. Today we speak with Dr Lena Trabucco about her upcoming OpinioJuris Symposium on Military AI and the Law of Armed Conflict, co-edited with Dr Magda Packholska, on this issue, as well as her work on legal challenges associated with emerging technology more broadly.Lena is a research fellow, a visiting scholar at the Stockton Center for International Law at the US Naval War College, and research fellow at the Technology, Law and Security Program at American University College of Law and the University of Copenhagen. Her research focuses on the intersection of international law and emerging military technology, particularly autonomous weapon systems. She has multiple projects examining human control throughout an autonomous weapon system life cycle. Previously, she was a post-doctoral researcher at the Centre for Military Studies at the University of Copenhagen. Lena received a PhD in law from the University of Copenhagen and a PhD in international relations from Northwestern University.Additional resources:Opinio Juris Symposium on Military AI and the Law of Armed ConflictKevin Jon Heller, 'The Concept of 'The Human' in the Critique of Autonomous Weapons', 14 Harvard National Security Journal (2023)Magdalena Pacholska, 'Military Artificial Intelligence and the Principle of Distinction: A State Responsibility Perspective', Israel Law Review (2022), 1–21Rebecca Crootof, 'A Meaningful Floor for 'Meaningful Human Control', Temple International & Comparative Law Journal, Vol. 30, 2016Kenneth Payne's SubstackKiller Robot Cocktail Party (Lena and Brad Boyd's substack)
In this episode, Major John Tramazzo, Fellow and Professor of Law at the Stockton Center for International Law, is interviewed about his scholarship and research into Deep Fake technology. John shares his research, best reads for military practitioners, and some legal considerations for the military applications of this emerging technology. MAJ Tramazzo discusses points from this interview linked here: https://mwi.westpoint.edu/deepfakes-and-deception-a-framework-for-the-ethical-and-legal-use-of-machine-manipulated-media/
In this episode, Major John Tramazzo, Fellow and Professor of Law at the Stockton Center for International Law, is interviewed about his scholarship and research into Deep Fake technology. John shares his research, best reads for military practitioners, and some legal considerations for the military applications of this emerging technology. MAJ Tramazzo discusses points from this interview linked here: https://mwi.westpoint.edu/deepfakes-and-deception-a-framework-for-the-ethical-and-legal-use-of-machine-manipulated-media/
By Jared Samuelson Dr. James Kraska and Professor Pete Pedrozo join us to discuss the Newport Manual on the Law of Naval Warfare. Dr. Kraska is chair and Charles H. Stockton Professor of International Maritime Law in the Stockton Center for International Law at the U.S. Naval War College. Professor Pedrozo is the Howard S. … Continue reading Sea Control 464 – The Newport Manual with Dr. James Kraska and Professor Pete Pedrozo →
On June 3, 2023, there was a near-collision between a US and a PRC destroyer in the Taiwan Strait. According to a statement issued by US Indo-Pacific Command, a US Navy destroyer, the USS Chung-Hoon, and a Canadian warship were conducting a routine south to north Taiwan Strait transit through waters where high seas freedoms of navigation and overflight apply. The Luyang III, a People's Liberation Army destroyer, overtook the Chung-Hoon on her port side and crossed her bow at 150 yards. The US warship maintained course and slowed to 10 knots to avoid a collision. US Indo-Pacific Command stated that the actions of the Chinese destroyer violated the maritime Rules of the Road of safe passage in international waters.How dangerous was this incident? Why do US warships sail in these waters, and do they do so in accordance with international law? And what steps should be taken to ensure that accidents do not take place between US and Chinese naval vessels?To discuss these questions, host Bonnie Glaser is joined by Dr. Peter Dutton, professor of international law in the Stockton Center for International Law at the US Naval War College and an Adjunct Professor of Law at New York University School of Law. His research focuses on international law of the sea, Chinese views of sovereignty and international law, and China's maritime expansion. Timestamps[01:50] Freedom of the High Seas [03:21] Joint Freedom of Navigation Operations[03:52] Statement by the US Indo-Pacific Command[04:46] Statement by Defense Minister Li Shangfu[06:49] History of Dangerous Maneuvering by the Chinese[07:41] Trigger for the Recent Dangerous Maneuver[09:13] Chinese Adherence to International Law[10:19] Signaling Intentions in a Safe and Legal Manner[12:03] Aftermath of a Hypothetical Collision at Sea[14:44] Is the US Goading China into Conflict?[17:38] Rules of Behavior for Safety of Air and Maritime Encounters[19:24] Code for Unplanned Encounters at Sea[20:27] The US and the Convention on the Law of the Sea[21:51] Interactions with Chinese Experts and Professionals
The black letter law discussed in this episode is: Primer on International Humanitarian Law https://www.icrc.org/eng/assets/files/other/what_is_ihl.pdf The major principles of IHL https://casebook.icrc.org/glossary/fundamental-principles-ihl Artificial Intelligence winning Texas hold ‘em https://www.geekwire.com/2017/libratus-ai-program-bested-professional-poker-players-no-limit-texas-holdem/ CCW (Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons) https://www.unog.ch/80256EE600585943/(httpPages)/4F0DEF093B4860B4C1257180004B1B30?OpenDocument 2017 CCW meeting https://www.unog.ch/80256EE600585943/(httpPages)/A0A0A3470E40345CC12580CD003D7927?OpenDocument ICRC (International Committee of the Red Cross) https://www.icrc.org/en DOD Directive on Autonomy in Weapon Systems https://cryptome.org/dodi/dodd-3000-09.pdf Federal Acquisition Regulations https://www.acquisition.gov/browsefar DOD Instruction on Joint Services Weapon and Laser System Safety Review Processes http://www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/Documents/DD/issuances/dodi/500069p.pdf?ver=2017-11-20-141123-893 Additional Protocol 1 https://ihl-databases.icrc.org/ihl/INTRO/470 LtCol Schuller’s articles: Inimical Inceptions of Imminence: A New Approach to Anticipatory Self-Defense Under the Law of Armed Conflict https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=2701499 At the Crossroads of Control: The Intersection of Artificial Intelligence in Autonomous Weapon Systems with International Humanitarian Law https://harvardnsj.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2017/02/Schuller-NSJ-Vol-8.pdf Alan Schuller is a professor at the Stockton Center for the Study of International Law: https://usnwc.edu/Faculty-and-Departments/Directory/Alan-L-Schuller
In this episode of Intercross the Podcast, ICRC in Washington’s Deputy Legal Advisor, Andrea Harrison, sits down with three naval warfare experts on why we should be talking about the rules that govern conflict at sea. Professor Julian Ku, Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and the Faculty Director of International Programs at Hofstra University School of Law, Lt Commander Peter Barker of the British Royal Navy and Associate Director for the Law of Coalition Warfare at the Stockton Center for the study of International Law, and Lt Colonel Jeffrey Biller of the U.S. Air Force and military professor at the U.S. Naval War College discuss the looming “hotspots” for naval conflict, the vulnerability of shipwrecked sailors, and how the cyber domain is driving an entirely new set of issues for conduct of naval warfare. Much has changed since the Geneva Conventions were written in 1949 - Where are the most realistic possibilities for a conflict that will be governed by the Second Geneva Convention? What happens when the responsibility to take “all possible measures” to find shipwrecked sailors creates a risk of detection out at sea? Can a vessel be shipwrecked purely through cyber means? Hosted by Andrea Harrison.
In this episode of Intercross the Podcast, we discuss the future of US detention in armed conflict. In May 2016, the ICRC’s Washington delegation, Harvard Law School’s PILAC, and the Naval War College’s Stockton Center held their inaugural joint IHL workshop on the same topic. About 30 experts convened for two days to discuss, debate and explore the issue. An outcomes report was just recently released. Join Tracey Begley and Deputy Legal Advisor Andrea Harrison in a conversation about the main issues that were discussed, which are most hotly contested, where gaps exist in IHL and what other law we can turn to in times of gaps, the main take-aways from the workshop and why ICRC brings together these groups. Hosted by Tracey Begley.
The Chinese Supreme People’s Court and the Chinese government have denounced the Permanent Court of Arbitration at the Hague’s recent ruling. According to The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) provisions, island-building activity and territorial claims in the South China Sea violated international and environmental law. Was China bound by this ruling, although China objects to The Hague Arbitration Court’s jurisdiction, and claims that consent was not given? When international law, agreements, and norms are summarily voided by a losing nation, what should be the international legal and political response? Regarding international agreements specifically, does this case provide warnings for signatories to treaties and agreements? Are there lessons for the United States in the consideration of potential reservations, opt-outs, alternate venues, or waivers, and whether they were given proper regard by the Court? -- Featuring: Prof. James Kraska, Howard S. Levie Professor in the Stockton Center for the Study of International Law at the U.S. Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island and Prof. Julian Ku, Maurice A. Deane Distinguished Professor of Constitutional Law and Faculty Director of International Programs, Hofstra University School of Law.
As 2015 starts its final act, where is China heading?From her Great Wall of Sand in the South China Sea, to economic stress, and her increasingly nervous neighbors, where does the USA and her allies need to adjust to China’s expanding footprint globally, and where do they need to stand firm?Our guest for the full hour to discuss this and more will be James Kraska.Dr. James Kraska is Professor in the Stockton Center for the Study of International Law, where he previously served as Howard S. Levie Chair in International Law from 2008-13. During 2013-14, he was a Mary Derrickson McCurdy Visiting Scholar at Duke University, where he taught international law of the sea. He is also a Senior Fellow at the Center for Oceans Law and Policy at the University of Virginia School of Law, Guest Investigator at the Marine Policy Center, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Senior Fellow at the Foreign Policy Research Institute, and a Senior Associate at the Naval War College's Center on Irregular Warfare and Armed Groups. He developed the first course on maritime security law at the Naval War College, which he also taught at The Hague Academy of International Law and University of Maine School of Law. Commander Kraska served as legal adviser to joint and naval task force commanders in the Asia-Pacific, two tours in Japan and in four Pentagon major staff assignments, including as oceans law and policy adviser as well as chief of international treaty negotiations, both on the Joint Staff. Kraska earned a J.D. from Indiana University, Bloomington, Maurer School of Law and J.S.D. and LL.M. from University of Virginia School of Law; he also completed a master’s degree at the School of Politics and Economics, Claremont Graduate School. In 2010, Kraska was selected for the Alfred Thayer Mahan Award for Literary Achievement by the Navy League of the United States.
Is College worth it today? In this new edition of the College Experts Talk podcast, join Felicia Gopaul and Deborah Figart as they answer the question at hand and as they talk about one of the biggest issues students face today: Handling student loan debt. Deborah Figart is the director of Stockton Center for Economic and Financial Literacy (SCEFL). The …