DIILS was invited to conduct two consecutive weeks of seminars in Sierra Leone on the topics of military justice, and legal aspects of border security.  The Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF) was interested in the US system as a comparative model to their current British system to provide further basis for military justice reform.  During the course of the seminar, the participants developed skills necessary to create and administer a command disciplinary process for minor military offenses.  In addition, they became familiar with the essential elements for maintaining good order and discipline through the promotion of positive behavior, all in the context of enhancing respect for the individual rights of the military member. Serving as DIILS instructors were COL Steve Folsom (USMC), CDR Rob Sanders (USN), and LCDR Jeffery Truitt (USN).

The DIILS team visits the vessel commanded by border security seminar participant CDR Kanu.

The 21st century has witnessed the emergence of terrorist threats unprecedented in their global reach, distributed nature, and willingness to target civilian populations of any creed. Using modern communication tools and media, terrorist organizations pose a grave and continuing threat to peace and stability across the globe. Countering these terrorist threats requires a level of cooperation between countries and their respective security officials never before imagined. Such cooperation can not occur without a concerted effort by nations to bring their security officials together to develop relationships and build a network that will enable them to coordinate and act quickly and effectively with partners and allies to counter emerging threats.

The Combating Terrorism (CbT) Fellowship Program is a U.S. Department of Defense program specifically designed to help reinforce the combating terrorism capabilities of partner nations, as well as build and strengthen the global network of combating terrorism experts and practitioners who are committed to fighting this threat.

Major General Cammaert in small group discussion with class participants

Major General Patrick Cammaert of the Royal Netherlands Marine Corps, who recently retired as the Commanding General of the UN Mission in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), was the distinguished guest lecturer in the current "Conducting Military and Peacekeeping Operations in Accordance with the Rule of Law" class. Major General Cammaert made presentations and took part in discussions with class participants on his role and experiences in the DRC and in the many capacities in which he has served in United Nations Peacekeeping over his career. DIILS offers the class twice a year to military and civilian participants from around the world.

Participants in Peacekeeping for Decision Makers class discuss key issues in current Peace Operations

DIILS has successfully completed its 6th Peacekeeping for Decision Makers course held in Newport, Rhode Island (22 July - 4 August 2006). Thirteen participants from nine countries including Argentina, Bahamas, Czech Republic, Egypt, El Salvador, Georgia, Mongolia, Slovakia, and Thailand were in attendance.

Participants engaged in discussions and presentations of current operational interest in Peace Operations, International Law, UN Mandates and Processes, Peacekeeping Doctrine, Law of Armed Conflict, Rules of Engagement, Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief, Logistics Support, Nongovernmental Organization Coordination, Misconduct and Military Justice, Operational Planning, Environmental Law, Status of Forces Agreements, Refugee Law, and Mediation and Conflict Resolution presentations by the U.S. Institute for Peace.

Participants in problem solving exercise

DIILS, in conjunction with the Naval War College International Law Department, successfully completed this years International Law of Military Operations course held in Newport, RI from June 19-30. Twenty-three participants from eighteen countries including Afghanistan, Albania, Belgium, Colombia, Georgia, Indonesia, Latvia Malaysia, Pakistan, Romania, Swaziland, and Uganda, were in attendance. International Faculty included guest lecturers from Australia, Canada, Germany, Japan, Norway, and the United Kingdom.

Participants were involved in discussion and presentation of significant current operational topics including International Law, Treatment of Detainees, Peace Operations, Maritime Security and Rules of Engagement Case Studies, Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief, and the Law of Armed Conflict, as well as Operational Law exercises.