23 International military participants from 16 countries visited WashingtonD.C. for 5 days as part of the DIIILS "Conducting Stability and Peacekeeping Operations in Accordance with the Rule of Law" (PKRL) course.

PKRL explores the practical legal issues confronting military officers and civilians who are engaged in peacekeeping, coalition stability operations and peace support operations throughout the world.  Recent participants have included individuals who take command of national peacekeeping operations contingents in various locations throughout the world.

During the visit to Washington, DC, participants interacted with U.S. government officials Lauren Rajczak, Peacekeeping Policy and Operations Directorate, Office of the Undersecretary of Defense for Policy, (PS&SO) OUSD (Policy) - SO/LIC⁣ Michael Larmas Smith, Program Director, Global Peace Operations Initiative (GPOI), Bureau of Political-Military Affairs, U.S. Department of State and Melanne Civic, Rule of Law Advisor to State Department, Office of the Coordinator for Reconstruction and Stabilization second to the Center for Complex Operations (CCO) at the National Defense University. 

The visit gave the PKRL participants a greater appreciation of the unique role the United States has in supporting stability and peace operations world wide. The United States supports stability and peace operations through direct participation, training, education, and funding.