Welcome to the Defense Institute of International Legal Studies

About Us

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

graphic of a blue globe in the middle of a golden scale
  • 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! DIILS 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. DIILS offers nine resident courses for international military officers and civilians at in Newport, RI.

Fast Facts

Latest News

DIILS Partners With El Salvador

DIILS Partners With El Salvador

December 30, 2024

A team from the Defense Security Cooperation University’s Defense Institute of International Legal Studies (DIILS) recently traveled to El Salvador to meet with members of their military as part of an ongoing Security Cooperation effort.

DIILS Engages with Thailand

DIILS Engages with Thailand

December 4, 2024

A team from the Defense Security Cooperation University's Defense Institute of International Legal Studies (DIILS) recently traveled to Thailand. The DIILS team met with maritime security professionals from the Thailand Maritime Enforcement Coordination Center (Thai MECC) as part of an ongoing maritime security cooperation effort.

Group photo

DIILS Partners with Latvia

November 27, 2024

A team from the Defense Institute of International Legal Studies (DIILS) recently traveled to Latvia to conduct an executive seminar on Human Rights and the Law of Armed Conflict with members of their military.

Announcements

  • Our Charter - The DIILS Charter is now available here.