Robert A. Sanders, LP.D., J.D., LLM

Robert Sanders headshot
Associate Professor

National Security Department
Henry C. Lee College of Criminal Justice & Forensic Sciences
Education

Law
LP.D Law and Policy Northeastern University, 2013
LLM U.S. Army Judge Advocate General’s School, 1995
JD Catholic University, Columbus School of Law, 1988

National Security
MS Strategic Intelligence, National Intelligence University (Joint Military Intelligence College), 2007
MA National Security and Strategic Studies, U.S. Naval War College, 2002
MS International Relations, Troy State University, 1997

Engineering
BS Electrical Engineering, Northeastern University, 1983

Fellowships
  • Fellow (National Security), MIT Seminar XXI, 2010
  • Topical Research Intern (African - American Diaspora), DEOMI TRIP, 1999
About

Dr. Robert A. Sanders is a retired U.S. Navy Judge Advocate General’s Corps (JAG Corps) Captain, a legal/national security educator, a former federal government organization counsel and private industry military communications and weapons systems engineer. For more than two decades he developed the critical thinking of diverse groups of global leaders and supported the international human rights, international law, military, and diplomatic objectives of the United States. He has served as a staff attorney and legislative director working with the U.S. Senate and U.S. House of Representatives, as a federal civil defense counsel, and as a federal criminal prosecutor and defense counsel in the United States, afloat on Navy ships, and overseas. He was previously a U.S. Naval War College Military Law and Operations Professor (2014-2019); Director, U.S. Department of Defense, Defense Institute of International Legal Studies (2011-2014); Commanding Officer, U.S. Naval Legal Service Office, North Central (2007 and 2009-2011); Deputy Assistant Judge Advocate General (Military Personnel) (2007-2009); and the in-country legal mentor for the Afghan National Army’s 1st Judge Advocate General and the Ministry of Defense’s 1st General Counsel equivalent (2004-2005). Dr. Sanders has served on several Boards of Directors including prior service on the Rhode Island Black Heritage Society Board; on the U.S. Secretary of Defense's Recovering, Wounded, Ill and Injured Members of the Armed Forces Task Force; and on multiple youth sports organization boards. Dr. Sanders began his current service on the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island Board of Directors in September 2016. He is a former MIT Seminar XXI Fellow, a DEOMI TRIP Intern, and a Leadership Rhode Island program participant.

Research Interests

National Security, International Law, Law of Armed Conflict, Human Rights, African American/African Diaspora History, American History, Government/Political Affairs, Armed Conflict Analysis/History, and International Military Education and Training.

Recently Published Books and Articles

Contributor - Dan Yorke State of Mind, wpri.com (2020)

Author - National Security, Human Rights and Policing — U.S. vs. China Style, Inside Sources (2020)

Chapter Co-author – "The Role of the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) in Protecting Civilians" in South Sudan’s Challenges: Peacemaking, Democratic Accountability, and National Stability; S. C. Roach & D. K. Hudson (Editors); London, New York: Routledge (2018)

Author/Editor – The South China Sea Dispute Background & Arbitration Case, Naval War College, Joint Military Operations Department, NWC 1103 (2017)

In the Media

In the Media

NBC Connecticut: 13 Hostages Released

Robert Sanders, a distinguished lecturer of national security, discusses the hostages released by Hamas, saying they will be debriefed by Israeli national security experts, and the children who have been held for almost nine weeks will receive special care.

In the Media

Scripps News: Trump Indictment

Robert Sanders, a senior lecturer of national security, discusses the Trump indictment, if the public will learn more about the classified documents that were in his possession, and if this will prohibit the former president from running for office again.

In the Media

yahoo!news: Trump hush money case: Legal experts break down our FAQs

Robert Sanders, a senior lecturer of criminal justice, comments on Michael Cohen, who has been convicted of perjury, being a credible witness for prosecutors in the case against former President Donald Trump, who is under a grand jury investigation for campaign finance violations that may have been an attem pt to commit or conceal another crime.

In the Media

LiveNOW from Fox: No Indictment So Far For Former President Trump

Robert Sanders, a senior lecturer of national security, says all trials must be conducted by the rule of law, even for former presidents, and be impartial to political views. Sanders wore blue and orange for the interview to honor his fraternity brother and NBA legend Willis Reed, who passed away on March 21.

In the Media

Newsweek: Jim Jordan’s Crusade Against Alvin Bragg Could Come Back to Bite Him

Robert Sanders, a senior lecturer of national security, discusses a letter sent to Alvin Bragg, Manhattan District Attorney, by Republican committee leaders in the House of Representatives, calling for documents and testimony as former President Donald Trump is facing a potential indictment. He explained how this interferes with the sovereignty of federal and state governments.

In the Media

LiveNOW from Fox: ICC issues arrest warrant for Vladimir Putin over Ukraine war crimes

Robert Sanders, a senior lecturer of national security, talk s about the upcoming meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and China's President Xi Jinping about the war in Ukraine. In addition, Sanders discussed the International Criminal Court issuing an arrest warrant for Putin and Russian official Maria Lvova-Belova for forcibly deporting Ukrainian children to Russia.

In the Media

NBC 5 News Burlington: Death of Tyre Nichols

Robert Sanders, a senior lecturer of national security, comments on current laws in the country that shield police officers from misconduct in their duties as lawmakers in Washington, D.C. have yet to enact change since the George Floyd Justice and Policing Act failed to pass.