The legal aspects of coalition military operations in Afghanistan was the focus of a two-week DIILS resident course offered to 31 international military students from 19 countries.  Military experts gave presentations on the law of armed conflict (LOAC) and rules of engagement (ROE) and conducted practical exercises, including a video simulation of combat situations.
The new course is called "Stability Operations: Legal Aspects of ROE/RUF Afghanistan," or SOLARA.  It will be offered again 25 July to 5 August 2011 (MASL P176017).
The goal of SOLARA is to share knowledge among US, ISAF, NATO, and other Eastern and Central European specialists with recent experience combating terrorism in Afghanistan.  SOLARA is designed to foster enduring international partnerships in support of U.S. global security objectives and promote regional relationships that will enhance efforts to defeat transnational terrorism.
One SOLARA participant commented that "sharing information about international law (LOAC and ROE) between multinational groups and how to apply it to the operational environment and battle space" was a highlight of the course.

Norwegian SOLARA participant discusses the Law of Armed Conflict with a DIILS instructor.

38 participants from 19 countries taking part in the Legal Aspects of Combating Terrorism Course (LCT) visit the U.S. Coast Guard Station Staten Island, New York to observe first hand measures taken to provide security in maritime approaches to New York City.  Participants learned how the U.S. ensures security in a maritime environment in a way that respects rights of individuals and avoids unnecessary hindrances to commercial activity. Select the following link for a course description: http://diils.org/lct

Participants Touring a U.S. Coast Guard boat in Staten Island, New York.

Representatives of the Defense Institute of International Legal Studies (DIILS), Mr. John Phelps, the Middle East and Central Asia Regional Program Director and Major Christian Pappas, USMC, the Middle East and Central Asia International Operations Officer, conducted a Human Rights Seminar on March 30-31, 2010 in Manama, Bahrain with members of the Bahraini Ministry of Defense, Ministry of the Interior and Maritime Enforcement Agency at the invitation of the U.S. Embassy, Bahrain, Office of Defense Cooperation.

Bahraini participants John Phelps, Major Pappas USMC & LCMDR Almonte USN/ODC (DIILS)

Please view or download the attached schedule for the DIILS Resident Courses calendar dates for 2010-2011.
Select the appropriate link below.
Thank you, Nancy Parvin
DIILS Website Coordinator
nancy.parvin@imagine-one.com
401-841-1524 X209

23 International military participants from 16 countries visited Washington D.C. for 5 days as part of the DIIILS "Conducting Stability and Peacekeeping Operations in Accordance with the Rule of Law" (PKRL) course. PKRL explores the practical legal issues confronting military officers and civilians who are engaged in peacekeeping, coalition stability operations and peace support operations throughout the world.  Recent participants have included individuals who take command of national peacekeeping operations contingents in various locations throughout the world. During the visit to Washington, DC, participants interacted with U.S.