Peter Dutton

Peter Dutton is a Senior Research Scholar in Law and Senior Fellow at Yale Law School's Paul Tsai China Center. He previously served as a professor of international law at the U.S. Naval War College, where he also held leadership roles including interim dean of the Center for Naval Warfare Studies and director of the China Maritime Studies Institute. A 40-year veteran of the U.S. Navy (military and civilian roles), Dutton specialized in international law, China studies, and geostrategy. His work focuses on maritime security in the Asia-Pacific, Chinese naval expansion, and legal frameworks governing maritime disputes in the South and East China Seas.

• Education: Ph.D. in War Studies (King's College London, 2018), J.D. (College of William & Mary, 1993), M.A. (U.S. Naval War College, 1999), B.S. (Boston University, 1982).
• Affiliations: Non-resident affiliate at Harvard’s Fairbank Center for China Studies and NYU’s US-Asia Law Institute.

Research interests include Chinese maritime strategy, sovereignty claims under international law, and the strategic implications of China’s naval and territorial ambitions. His interdisciplinary work bridges legal, political, and military analysis to address contemporary challenges in the Asia-Pacific. Testifying before U.S. Congress and advising policymakers, Dutton has shaped U.S. perspectives on China’s maritime assertiveness.

Publications emphasize China’s maritime activities, legal interpretations of EEZs, and U.S.-China maritime cooperation. He critiques China’s claims in the South China Sea and advocates for assertive U.S. adherence to international law in contested zones. Recent work examines China’s overseas military infrastructure (e.g., Djibouti) and gray-zone tactics in maritime disputes.

No scientific awards listed. His influence stems from policy engagement rather than traditional academic accolades.

Dutton advises on China’s naval modernization, including its surface fleet and submarine capabilities. His career bridges academic research, military service, and government policy, offering unique insights into U.S.-China maritime dynamics.