Peter Dutton

Peter Dutton is a Senior Research Scholar in Law and Senior Fellow in the Paul Tsai China Center at Yale Law School. Before joining the Center, he was professor of international law in the Stockton Center for International Law at the U.S. Naval War College. He also served as dean (interim) of the Center for Naval Warfare Studies, as director of the China Maritime Studies Institute, and as professor of joint military operations.

Dutton served the U.S. Navy for more than 40 years in active duty and civilian capacities. His active-duty career began as a naval flight officer in a variety of aircraft, including the A-6E Intruder, with operations in the Caribbean, Pacific, and European theaters. As a Judge Advocate, his active-duty deployments include with Carrier Group Six, on board the USS John F. Kennedy, deployed to the Persian Gulf in support of Operation Southern Watch and other operations. He worked with and advised a series of Pacific Fleet Commanders, Secretaries of Defense, Chairmen of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and other government offices on  policies in the Asia-Pacific region.  He also testified before the Senate and the House of Representatives on a variety of China-related issues.

Dutton’s research is interdisciplinary, combining international law, China studies, and international politics, including geostrategic theory. His writings focus on international law of the sea and air, with an emphasis on the East and South China Seas, and geo-political strategy. Additional research interests include Chinese views of sovereignty and international law, international law and Taiwan, and the strategic implications of China’s maritime expansion. He is a non-resident affiliate in research at Harvard University Fairbank Center for China Studies, and a non-resident affiliated scholar at the US-Asia Law Institute at New York University School of Law. Dutton holds a Ph.D. in War Studies from King’s College London, a J.D. from the College of William & Mary, an M.A. from the U.S. Naval War College, and a B.S. from Boston University.