At the crossroads of scholarship and practice
The Lieber Institute at West Point facilitates and contributes to the global dialogue on today’s most pressing and complex law of war issues. Through its research, publications, events and education, it strives to advance the understanding and maintain the primacy of law in today’s armed conflicts.
The Lieber Institute seeks to bridge the divide between legal scholarship and battlefield experience in the study of the law. It engages in innovative research and collaboration on multiple topics of legal study including targeting, detention, artificial intelligence, emerging technologies and war crimes accountability.
Researching Cutting-edge Issues.
Promoting Understanding.
Empowering Combat Leaders.
Beyond Nuclear: Does Russia’s Reported Anti-Starlink Weapon Breach the Outer Space Treaty?
In Late December 2025, intelligence services reported suspicion that Russia is developing a new anti-satellite weapon to target mass-constellations, such as SpaceX. Unlike traditional anti-satellite weapons that destroy a single target, the reported ability would...
Air Warfare and International Humanitarian Law
In 1949, the U.S. Army’s International Law Branch Chief, Major William G. Downey, provided remarks (in his personal capacity) to the American Society of International Law. He asserted, The person who first drafts an acceptable code of rules for use in aerial warfare...
When the Defender Is the Attacker and Does It Matter?
I was delighted to learn that Dr Jonathan Kwik has received funding for what promises to be a most important research project. Jonathan is fast developing a well-earned reputation as a thought-leader in complex areas associated with emerging technologies; for the...
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Volume 13
Volume 12
Volume 11
