This Law of Armed Conflict Deskbook is intended to replace, in a single bound volume, similar individual outlines that had been distributed as part of the Judge Advocate Officer Graduate and Basic Courses and departmental short courses. Together with the Operational Law Handbook and Law of Armed Conflict Documentary Supplement, these three volumes represent a range of international and operational law subjects taught to military judge advocates. These outlines, while extensive, make no pretence of comprehensively covering this complex area of law. Our audience is the beginning and intermediate level practitioner; our hope is that this material will provide a solid foundation upon which further study may be built.

The purpose of the Documentary Supplement is to provide students and practitioners with a ready reference of collected materials relevant to the study and practice of international and operational law. Modifications are based on the curriculum at the Judge Advocate General's Legal Center and School, with a focus on plenary instruction provided to students in both basic and graduate courses, as well as more specialized instruction during electives and short courses. However, this volume has historically found its way to the field as well, informing the practice of judge advocates in both garrison and combat. The 2012 edition adds new commentary on AP I and II. No sources have been deleted. In 2011, the DocSupp added several executive orders, as the first days of President Obama's administration saw the issuance of several Executive documents of interest to students and practitioners, given their application to detention practices and the broader discussion of the applicable law during armed conflict. Executive Order (EO) 13,567 established a review process applicable to detainees being held at Guantanamo Bay in light of a series of cases decided by the Supreme Court. The primary significance of this Order is twofold-it clarifies the position of the United States in the context of detention in non-international armed conflict, and provides guidance to practitioners on relevant standards and procedures.