Session Overviews
SESSION 1
Panel Discussion: Irregular Warfare and Great Power Competition
The opening session of the conference discusses irregular warfare in the context of great power competition.
The panellists examine the tensions in competition through the lens of the National Defence Strategy, and how Australia is positioned to effecting compete and deter.
Specifically, the tension in focus is between our desire to avoid the extremely costly effects of escalation into major conflict, while avoiding the erosion of international norms from competitors who use grey zone tactics to advance their strategic position.
SESSION 2
Panel Discussion: Technology Trends and Impact on Irregular Warfare
The impact of technology on the future of irregular warfare is widely debated.
This panel discussion debates the impact of both kinetic and non-kinetic technologies in the context of influence operations and irregular warfare strategies.
Expertly facilitated, this panel will provide the opportunity to understand if technology drives action, or if action is supported by technology?
SESSION 3
Panel Discussion: Irregular Strategy: Risks and Opportunities
The ability to accurately and effectively communicate irregular strategies in the context of theatre risks and opportunities underpins our ability to adapt to the security environment.
The panel discusses the risks associated with heightened tensions and the escalation of violence focusing on the Middle East against the backdrop of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Expertly facilitated, the discussion offers an opportunity for attendees to learn how irregular warfare actions and activities create decision space and offer asymmetric advantage.
SESSION 4
Panel Discussion: Irregular Warfare in the Indo-Pacific
As competition escalates in the Indo-Pacific and tensions between superpowers begins to shift our perceptions of global norms, the panel geographically focuses on Irregular Warfare in the Indo-Pacific.
The panel of regional experts and practitioners discuss the complexity of applying irregular warfare actions in a culturally diverse and geographically fractured region.
The discussion offers an opportunity for the attendees to understand regional perspectives and the vectors for international engagement to employ irregular warfare actions in the Indo-Pacific.
SESSION 5
Panel Discussion: Rebel governance, insurgencies and civilian interaction
Non-state actors get a vote and play a key role in the competition for influence area.
The panel discusses the forms and functions of rebel governed, how this compares to insurgencies and their interaction with the civil population.
Expertly facilitated, the panel offers an opportunity for the attendees to recognise the importance of influencing non-state actors and the risks and opportunities they present when applying irregular warfare strategies.
SESSION 6
Panel Discussion: Resistance Warfare
A rising sense of international competition has escalated in recent years as Russia’s security strategy has become increasingly belligerent.
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine illuminated the importance of understanding resistance warfare in the context of deterrence and deterrence failure.
The panellists discuss four major areas concerning resistance operations: resistance can deter aggression; the utility of non-violent resistance; the organic nature of resistance; and, designing clandestine networks for a purpose.
The panel offers an opportunity for the attendees to understand the importance of working in and through a civilian population as a critical part of deterrence strategies.
SESSION 7
Panel Discussion: Perspectives on Regional Conflict
The panel brings together an international audience to discuss the different perspectives of the role irregular warfare plays in conflict.
Specifically, the panellist will discuss the enabling role of Special Operations Forces in conflict, the strategic versus the tactical application of special forces, and the considerations to act upon during competition to enable success in conflict.
The audience will be afforded the opportunity to listen and learn from global leaders in the Special Operations Community to enhance their understanding of irregular warfare activities in conflict.
SESSION 8
Panel Discussion: Economic Coercion and Resilience
Irregular warfare is most effective as an instrument orchestrated by Whole of Government.
Join our panel of experts who discuss the complexities of strengthening partners and allies against economic coercion as well as the actions necessary to weaken adversary and competitor resilience.
The audience will be afforded the opportunity to learn from a diverse range of policy makers, academics and intelligence experts on the current state of play regarding economic coercion as a tool of statecraft.
SESSION 9
Panel Discussion: The Irregular Threat in Today's Competition
The final session of the conference brings focus to the current and future operating environment.
The expert panel of national security leaders will discuss the current threats facing Australia, the requirement for Whole of Government synchronisation to compete against these threats, and the importance of conceptualising irregular warfare as a key lever of national power.
The audience will be afforded the opportunity to learn from current senior leadership and their views pertaining to the effective application of irregular strategies to successfully achieve deterrence by denial.