What should a nation do to prepare for interagency coordination in response to a catastrophic terrorist attack?  DIILS students attending the Legal Aspects of Combating Terrorism (LCT) visited the Rhode Island Emergency Management Operations Center and saw first hand the mechanisms for the U.S. interagency response to terrorism.  Major General Robert Bray, Adjutant General of the Rhode Island National Guard, explained the role of the U.S. military in response to emergencies and the legal authorities that govern the military response and coordination with civilian agencies.  Other site visits included visits to a U.S. Coast Guard base and the World Trade Center site in New York City.

 The LCT course provides students with a comprehensive understanding of the international law that applies in combating terrorism in each of its three contexts:  internal disturbances (domestic crime); internal armed conflict (a common tactic of insurgents); and international armed conflict (such as against Al Qa’ida).  Classroom lectures are from legal, academic, and anti- and counter-terrorism subject matter experts (including officials from the U.S. Departments of Defense, Justice, and Homeland Security) and are accompanied by extensive written curriculum.  Small group realistic discussion problems and exercises provide students frequent opportunities to confirm their understanding of the applicable legal rules and to share experiences and insights with other international military officers and civilian officials on effective means for combating terrorism within the Rule of Law. Participants engage in role play applying the Rules for the Use of Force and Rules of Engagement, including participation in a video-based exercise which uses the Fire Arms Training Simulator (FATS) at the Rhode Island Air National Guard facility at Camp Fogarty. LCT is offered twice per year in March and August.

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