Michael Schmitt

Non-Resident Distinguished Scholar

Michael Schmitt (LinkedIn) is a Non-Resident Distinguished Scholar with the Reiss Center on Law and Security at NYU School of Law. He is also Professor of International Law at the University of Reading and Professor Emeritus at the United States Naval War College. Additionally, he serves as the General Editor of Oxford University Press’ Lieber Studies and is General Editor Emeritus of the journal International Law Studies. 

Previously, Professor Schmitt was the G. Norman Lieber Distinguished Scholar at the United States Military Academy (West Point), Charles H. Stockton Distinguished Scholar-in-Residence at the United States Naval War College, Chair of the Stockton Center for International Law, Dean of the George C. Marshall European Center for Security Studies, Professor of International Law at the University of Exeter and Durham University, and General Editor of the Yearbook of International Humanitarian Law. He has been an invited visiting scholar at the International Institute of Humanitarian Law, Melbourne University, Australian National University, Yale Law School, and Emory University. Professor Schmitt served 20 years in the United States Air Force as an intelligence officer and judge advocate, including tours as legal adviser to Operations Provide Comfort (Air Component) and Northern Watch (Combined Joint Task Force).

Professor Schmitt holds a D.Litt from Durham University, an LL.M from Yale Law School, a JD from the University of Texas, an MA from the Naval War College, and an MA and BA from Texas State University. He is a graduate of the U.S. Naval War College (1st in class), Air War College, Marine Corps Command and Staff College, and Air Command and Staff College. In 2017, he was awarded the Order of the Cross of Terra Mariana by the President of Estonia for his work in promoting cyber defense, and in 2023, he received the Serge Lazareff Prize for his contributions to NATO. Professor Schmitt is also the recipient of numerous military and government civilian service awards.