2026 Center for Irregular Warfare and Armed Groups (CIWAG) Symposium

“The Center for Irregular Warfare and Armed Groups (CIWAG) is hosting its annual Symposium, and its fifth focused upon Maritime Irregular Challenges, on 23-24 June 2026 in Newport, Rhode Island.

This event will bring together military, academic, and industry experts to discuss maritime security related to irregular maritime challenges short of war, such as illicit maritime oil transport, sanctions and other related economic issues, and the conduct of non-attributable maritime operations against various states. These complex sets of issues concern international maritime law, the global shipping industry, and the overall international security environment, which potentially threatens the stability of the global maritime order.

The symposium will feature speakers and panels focusing on these contemporary maritime irregular challenges and will provide an opportunity to develop recommended policy solutions for both the U.S. and maritime partners. At the conclusion of the symposium, CIWAG will host a series of podcasts and publish several policy papers outlining the event’s proposed strategic options. All events will take place at a venue in Middletown, RI, 23-24 June 2026, and a follow-on invited writers’ workshop to be held at the war college on 25 June 2026.

Keep watching for updates, featured speakers, and registration links over the next month! We hope you’ll join us!”

Revisit 2025’s Maritime Symposium here.

Learn more about CIWAG here.

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