National Security
National Security Law
The Strauss Center engages in a number of activities related to the national security law program.
The University of Texas School of Law has one of the nation’s premier national security law programs, and the Strauss Center plays a key role in sustaining and enriching it. We encourage interested Texas Law students to join our National Security Law Fellows program, which provides exclusive mentorship and event opportunities while also building community.
To register for a listserv on national security law related events, news, and opportunities, email Ali Prince Ponce at ali.prince@austin.utexas.edu.
As you can see, our National Security Law program has many dimensions. Read on to learn about our “National Security Law Lectures” project (in partnership with Columbia University), the courses we sponsor, our National Security Law Student Fellowships, the National Security Law Podcast, the National Security Law Workshop, our events, and the Mike Lewis Prize for National Security Law Scholarship!
National Security Law Lectures
In partnership with the National Security Law Program at Columbia Law School, the Strauss Center is pleased to present an ongoing series of national security law lectures. Matthew Waxman of Columbia, and the Dean of the Law School, Bobby Chesney, present on a variety of issues in the national security law field.
Law Fellows
National Security Law Fellows
The Strauss Center’s National Security Law Student Fellows are UT Austin law students who commit to completing at least four courses from a list of approved courses maintained by the Strauss Center. National Security Law Student Fellows commit to regularly attending Strauss Center events, including social and career-development events tailored specifically to the Student Fellows. They will form a strong network within the Law School of students interested in national security law topics and careers.
National Security Law Workshop
The National Security Law Workshop began in 2008 and is jointly sponsored by Strauss Center, International Committee of the Red Cross, U.S. Army Judge Advocate General’s Legal Center and School, and South Texas College of Law. Pioneered by Professors Bobby Chesney of UT and Geoff Corn of South Texas, the acclaimed event assembles a collection of several dozen civilian and military lawyers in a blended-format workshop including paper presentations and roundtable discussions on hot topics. Participation is determined by a combination of a call-for-papers and through competitive application for spots as discussants and general participants.
Podcast
National Security Podcast
The NSL Podcast is a weekly review of the latest legal controversies associated with the U.S. government’s national security activities and institutions, featuring Professors Bobby Chesney and Steve Vladeck of the University of Texas at Austin. They bring different perspectives to these issues, but always in a friendly spirit. The program is fast-paced but detail-rich, and is meant for lawyers and non-lawyers alike. If you’ve been looking for a thoughtful yet enjoyable way to keep up with and better understand these issues, this is the show for you.
National Security Law Events
Events
- November 13, 2025
- 9:15 am - 4:00 pm
- Etter-Harbin Alumni Center
Beyond the Battlefield: Influence, Incentive, and Coercion in the New Era of Great Power Competition
- October 27, 2025
- 12:15 - 1:30 pm
- SRH 3.122, LBJ School
Taken Hostage: How the U.S. Government Frees Hostages Held Abroad
- October 21, 2025
- 5:30 - 7:00 pm
- Bass Lecture Hall, LBJ School
