Ryan Vogel, J.D., LL.M.
Director, Center for National Security Studies Utah Valley University
- Orem UT
Vogel is an expert in national security, intelligence, law of war, and international relations
Media
Biography
Professor Vogel has also served at the Public International Law & Policy Group, at the U.S. Senate, and at the State Department. He has taught law and national security courses at American University in Washington, D.C, BYU Law School, and the Chicago-Kent College of Law.
Professor Vogel holds an LLM in public international law, with a certificate in national security law, from the Georgetown University Law Center. He earned a J.D. and an M.A. in international affairs from American University. Professor Vogel is an alum of Utah Valley University, where he graduated with a B.S. in Integrated Studies.
Professor Vogel regularly comments in the press, publishes papers, and makes presentations on national security matters. He is a member of the Maryland State Bar and serves as an Honorary Colonel with the Utah National Guard.
Areas of Expertise
Accomplishments
Medal for Exceptional Civilian Service
US Department of Defense - 2014
Group Achievement Award
US Department of Defense
Wolverine Achievement Awards, Faculty of the Year
UVUSA - 2017
Presidential Award of Excellence, Innovation
Utah Valley University - 2019
Faculty Senate, Faculty Excellence Award
UVU Faculty Senate - 2020
Dean’s Excellence Award, Engagement
UVU College of Health and Public Service - 2021
Education
Georgetown University Law Center
LL.M.
Public International Law
2011
American University, Washington College of Law
J.D.
Law
2008
American University, School of International Service
M.A.
International Affairs
2008
Utah Valley University
B.S.
Integrated Studies
2004
Media Appearances
Jewish and Islamic communities react to Middle East conflict
KSL.com online
2025-06-24
Professor Ryan Vogel, Director of the Center for National Security Studies at Utah Valley University, is optimistic about the security threat against Utah and the Country. “I don’t think Utah has real reason to be concerned at this point,” Vogel said.
Will US strikes on Iran risk prolonged war or counter attacks? Here's what experts say
KSL News online
2025-06-23
"I think that what this shows them — both Israel's response and the United States' strikes — is that if they want a deterrent, they need to do it quickly," said Ryan Vogel, the director of Utah Valley University's Center for National Security Studies.
Will federal spending cuts affect Hill Air Force Base?
KSL NewsRadio online
2025-02-22
Director for the Center of National Security Studies at Utah Valley University, Ryan Vogel said he does not think Hill will be heavily impacted.
What Utahns need to know about recent sightings of spy balloons
KUTV online
2023-03-28
“We of course spy on each other that's something that the United States does, China does but a territorial incursion like we saw with the balloon is upping the ante. It’s a more dramatic and overt way of conducting espionage on another major power,” says Professor Vogel.
National Security Expert Expects Security To Ramp Up Following D.C. Riot
KSL online
2021-01-08
Security at federal and state government buildings is expected to ramp up after Wednesday’s riot in Washington, D.C., according to Ryan Vogel, national security expert and Utah Valley University professor.
Courses
National Security Law
NSS 4600
Law of War
NSS 4210
Directed Readings and Special Projects in National Security
NSS 4910R
Articles
Opinion: We ran a war game at UVU on political violence, and this is what we learned
Deseret News2025-10-15
Our war game included students, professionals and local leaders playing the roles of domestic and international governments. In the war game, the players portraying international adversaries could clandestinely exploit tension in the United States. Unsurprisingly, they seized the opportunity and never let go.
Situation in the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan (Int'l Crim. Ct. App. Chamber)
International Legal Materials2020-10-27
On March 5, 2020, the Appeals Chamber of the International Criminal Court (ICC) delivered its unanimous Decision Pursuant to Article 15 of the Rome Statute on the Authorisation of an Investigation into the Situation in the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan. The decision came after an appeal of the Pre-Trial Chamber II's unanimous decision in April 2019 rejecting the Prosecutor's request to proceed with an investigation.
Uncomplimentary Complementarity and the Int’l Criminal Court’s Afghanistan Probe
Just Security2018-04-12
This timely series on the International Criminal Court’s (ICC’s) potential exercise of jurisdiction over U.S. citizens has appropriately addressed the most important legal issue—that of the Court’s jurisdictional boundaries with respect to non-party nationals.
We Treat America’s Wartime Detainees Better Than Migrant Children
Just Security2019-07-10
As Congress and the Trump administration continue to consider options to improve the current situation on the southern border—where migrant children are being separated from their families and guardians, and detained by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS)—the stories of mistreatment, neglect, and abuse proliferate.
Beyond Geneva: Detainee Review Processes in Non-International Armed Conflict—A U.S. Perspective
International Law Studies2019-03-19
The object of this article is to identify an appropriate framework for detainee review, examine relevant U.S. state practice, and provide practical guidelines for implementing processes to review the status and threat of detainees during NIACs.
