2026 CIWAG Maritime Symposium: Gathering Storms & Shifting Tides

2026 CIWAG Maritime Symposium: Gathering Storms & Shifting Tides: Maritime Security and Seapower in an Era of Strategic Rivalry

The Center on Irregular Warfare and Armed Groups (CIWAG) is co-hosting, with the Naval War College Foundation, a Symposium on Maritime Irregular Challenges, which will examine the operational, legal, and strategic challenges shaping maritime security as rising tensions and technological change redefine the character of competition at sea.

The maritime domain is entering a period of renewed tension and transformation. From contested sea lanes and the expansion of shadow fleets to the rise of maritime autonomous systems and the growing importance of seabed infrastructure, competition at sea is increasingly shaping global security and economic stability. At the same time, challenges ranging from piracy and trafficking in the littorals to sanctions enforcement, lawfare, and seizure operations are placing new demands on naval forces, maritime law enforcement, and allied cooperation.

This symposium convenes experts from across government, academia, and industry to explore how maritime forces, institutions, and legal frameworks are adapting to this changing environment and will explore how states and institutions are adapting to a changing seascape where the stakes for security, commerce, and stability continue to rise.

Registration

The event is open to the public via pre-registration. Please register in advance here.