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Ethical conversations: CCLD hosts war workshop

By Julie Imada/April 25, 2017

Modern warfare experts met with about 40 cadets April 24 at the U.S. Air Force Academy to talk about ethics in war.

Retired Gen. C. Robert Kehler, former commander of U.S. Strategic Command, was one of four keynote speakers. He said ethics, technology and morality deserve significant consideration during war.

“These are the most critical issues of war and peace we have to address,” he said. “Addressing them in a forum to include our newest leaders and more experienced leaders really helps us with an exchange of ideas.”

The Academy Ethics, Technology and War Workshop is designed to facilitate discussion and potential research on nuclear deterrence, war doctrine, the Law of Armed Conflict and other topics.

Damon Coletta, a political science professor at the Academy, said Millennials want a high-quality education and will soon lead the nation’s discussions of ethics, technology, peace and justice.

“We’re trying to get our students talking about these questions now so that when they are professionals in the military or other career paths, they’re better prepared,” he said. “That’s what this is about. This setting is a unique opportunity to build bridges between regional institutions of higher education.”

Scott Sagan, a senior fellow at the Stanford University Center for International Security and Cooperation, said civilians write the LOAC, while the military implements it.

“It would be of importance for us to discuss and understand how new technologies influence the law of armed conflict and the profession of arms,” he said.