Defense Security Cooperation University

Announcements

Vacancies

No positions are currently available, but check back often for updates!

DIILS Catalog

The 2023-2024 DIILS Course Catalog has descriptions of course offerings covering the full spectrum of rule of law issues!

The 2023-2024 DIILS Resident Course Sheet

Our Charter

The DIILS Charter is now available here.

News

DIILS Partners with Bahrain

Posted: 5/25/2023

A Defense Institute of International Legal Studies (DIILS) team recently traveled to Bahrain to meet with members of its military as part of an ongoing Security Cooperation program.

DIILS Engages with Indonesia

Posted: 5/22/2023

A DIILS team recently returned from Indonesia after meeting with members of the Indonesian military as part of an ongoing maritime Security Cooperation program.

French Army officer speaking to students

French Army Officer Speaks to Legal Aspects of Combating Terrorism Resident Course

Posted: 5/11/2023

French Army Captain Thomas Vermeulen, currently assigned to the Office of the Chief of Staff of the French Armed Forces in Paris, spoke to the Legal Aspects of Combating Terrorism course on the topic of “French Forces in the Sahel- NIAC Legal Issues."

DIILS Engages with Lithuanian Armed Forces

Posted: 5/2/2023

A Defense Institute of International Legal Studies (DIILS) team recently traveled to Vilnius, Lithuania.

DIILS Partners with Ukraine

Posted: 4/20/2023

CAPT Ian Wexler and a DIILS team recently met with lawyers from the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU).

DIILS Partners with Slovenia

Posted: 4/10/2023

A Defense Institute of International Legal Studies (DIILS) team recently traveled to Slovenia to conduct a seminar on Human Rights and the Law of Armed Conflict with members of the Slovenian Army.

DIILS Engages with African Maritime Colleagues

Posted: 3/30/2023

DIILS joined U.S. Naval Forces Africa to partner with African maritime colleagues from several different countries and participate in Exercise Cutlass Express in Mombasa, Kenya.

DIILS Engages with Kazakhstan

Posted: 3/27/2023

A Defense Institute of International Legal Studies (DIILS) team recently traveled to Kazakhstan to conduct a seminar on Human Rights and the Law of Armed Conflict with members of Kazakhstan’s military.

DIILS Engages with Ecuador

Posted: 2/8/2023

A DIILS team recently traveled to Ecuador to meet with members of their military as part of an ongoing security cooperation program.

About Us

The DIILS motto is "Justita per orbem terrarum", which means "justice for all the earth"

The Defense Institute of International Legal Studies - DIILS - is a Defense Department organization that plans and executes professional legal education and international engagement focused on human rights, international humanitarian law, and the law of armed conflict. DIILS is a component of the Defense Security Cooperation University (DSCU) and directly supports the Defense Security Cooperation Agency’s (DSCA) mission of advancing US national security and foreign policy interests by building the capacity of foreign security forces to respond to shared challenges.
Plans and executes professional legal education and international engagement focused on human rights, international humanitarian law, and the law of armed conflict.
One of several Defense resources that support the conduct of U.S. foreign policy through security cooperation.
Annually conducts more than 100 educational events all over the world! Our staff military lawyers, called JAGs or Judge Advocates, travel to partner nations to conduct courses, seminars and workshops for international military officers, legal advisors, and defense-sector civilians. We also offer nine resident courses for international military officers and civilians at our home base in Newport.

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