The Stockton Center focuses on the most vexing questions of international law, often by conducting focused research workshops that bring together leading thinkers from government, international organizations, non-governmental organizations, academia, and the private sector to explore them. Additionally, Stockton Center faculty teach in the core curriculum as well as electives at the U.S. Naval War College, and at advanced international law courses around the world. The study of international law at the U.S. Naval War College dates back 125 years, and the Naval War College has published the Stockton Center’s flagship journal, International Law Studies, since 1895.
The Stockton Center annually hosts legal research workshops on emergent issues drawing many of the world’s leading international law experts. The Center also co-hosts an annual International Law of Military Operations course and Maritime Security Cooperation Workshop for legal advisors from the U.S. and abroad. The Center provides legal support to War Games, and when requested, advice to the Fleet and other DoD entities on a variety of international, operational, and maritime legal issues.
As part of its research, the Stockton Center compiles, edits, and publishes the International Law Studies series which, since 1895, has provided a forum for prominent legal scholars to publish articles that contribute to the broader understanding of international law. The Center also serves as the Primary Review Authority for the Commander’s Handbook on the Law of Naval Operations. Finally, faculty at the Center serve as faculty for International Institute of Humanitarian Law courses on the Law of Armed Conflict, the law of naval operations, and the rules of engagement, and as guest lecturers at various international law conferences.