This manuscript is the result of my research stay at the Norwegian Centre for the Law of the Sea (nclos), University of Tromsø. My project on the law of the sea and hybrid warfare (losfare) forms one of the sub-projects at the Centre. I extend my gratitude to the founder of the Centre Tore Henriksen for his comments and suggestions on an earlier draft of this work. I would also like to thank other members of the Centre, in particular its current leader Ingvild Ulrikke Jakobsen and senior advisor Christin Skjervold, for their support to this project. Working in the vibrant and multicultural environment and collaboration as a member of the Centre’s group on the overarching issues of the law of the sea added breadth and new knowledge to the project. Tusen takk!
This research benefitted substantially from the feedback of the series editor Nilüfer Oral who devoted her time to commenting on this work. Marie Sheldon and her team at Brill showed much hospitality during the publishing process.
I would like to thank Erik Molenaar, Karen Scott, Magne Frostad, Shin Kawagishi, Jan Solski, Endalew Lijalem Enyew, Iva Parlov, Pierre Thévenin, Susan Rolston, Dmitry Filipoff, and the anonymous reviewers for their comments on my previously published works that I have adapted to this manuscript. Any errors and omissions remain my own responsibility. I am also grateful to my colleagues at the School of Law, University of Tartu, in particular the head of our institute Lauri Mälksoo, for backing my research stay in the Arctic, far away from the classrooms where I ought to have lectured on various courses of law had I not been invited to join the nclos team.
This study was possible thanks to my wife Kati who enabled me to take occasional breaks from my family responsibilities while being away in the world’s northernmost university. Suur aitäh for your trust and support.