James Kraska

Papers

Total Citations

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About

James Kraska is a leading authority on the international law of the sea and maritime security, with a particular focus on the legal challenges posed by emerging naval technologies. His most-cited work, "The Law of Unmanned Naval Systems in War and Peace" (2010, 19 citations), is a foundational contribution that examines how unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), unmanned surface vessels (USVs), and unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs) interact with existing legal frameworks governing ocean activities. Kraska’s research illuminates the tensions between traditional maritime law—designed for manned operations—and the operational realities of autonomous systems, offering critical guidance for policymakers and naval strategists. Beyond this, his broader scholarship spans freedom of navigation, maritime jurisdiction, and the law of armed conflict at sea. As a professor at the U.S. Naval War College and a Senior Fellow at the Harvard Law School Center for Legal Studies, Kraska’s work has shaped international discourse on naval law and security. His contributions are especially vital for researchers and students navigating the intersection of technology, law, and state sovereignty in the world’s oceans.