Deterrence in the Pacific
The Class of 2006 War Studies Conference is the culminating event of a yearlong MWI Fellowship bringing together both MWI Fellows and subject matter experts to share their findings in a working group format of their scholarship. This year’s War Studies Conference will focus on the theme of deterrence in the Pacific, and will take place on 23 and 24 September 2026 at West Point, NY. The conference convenes MWI’s community of scholars, researchers, and practitioners to discuss future operational concepts to prevent great power war. Attendees are encouraged to contribute to the winter 2026 edition of the Modern War Journal; submissions will be due 30 November.
Link for Registration:
If unable to attend in person, you are welcome to join via Teams: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/27213048879091?p=jSTY9WxaN1AbTuEZ4P
For more information, please see the below flyer or contact Major Robert Rose at Robert.Rose@westpoint.edu.
| Time | Event | Location |
| Wednesday, 23 SEP 2026 | ||
| 1800 | No Host Social | Zulu Lounge, Thayer Hotel |
| Thursday, 24 SEP 2026 | ||
| 0800-0830 | Registration and Coffee | Haig Room, Library 6th Floor |
| 0830-0855 | Welcome, Opening Remarks | Haig Room, Library 6th Floor |
| 0905-1020 | Panel 1: Managing Competition with China | Haig Room, Library 6th Floor |
| 1035-1150 | Panel 2: Understanding the People’s Liberation Army | Haig Room, Library 6th Floor |
| 1200-1235 | Lunch | Foyer, Library 6th Floor |
| 1245-1400 | Panel 3: Deterring a Cross-Strait Invasion | Haig Room, Library 6th Floor |
| 1415-1530 | Panel 4: Beyond the Battlefield: Influence & Endurance | Haig Room, Library 6th Floor |
| 1545-1700 | Panel 5: The U.S. Army’s Role in the Pacific | Haig Room, Library 6th Floor |
| 1715-1800 | Cocktail Hour | West Point Club |
| 1800-1930 | Dinner | West Point Club |
0905-1020 – Panel 1: Managing Competition with China
Moderator: Scott Silverstone
Panelists: Ali Wyne (ICG), Jennifer Kavanagh (Defense Priorities), Zach Watson (ONA), Peter Cronin (Hudson Institute)
1035-1150 – Panel 2: Understanding the People’s Liberation Army
Moderator: Charles Faint
Panelists: Peter Wood (T2COM), Joshua Arostegui (AWC), Kevin Pollpeter (CASI), Cole Livieratos (ONA)
1245-1400 – Panel 3: Deterring a Cross-Strait Invasion
Moderator: Robert Rose
Panelists: Peter Harris (Defense Priorities), Raymond Kuo (RAND), David Sacks (CFR), Dan Blumenthal (ISW)
1415-1530 – Panel 4: Beyond the Battlefield: Influence and Endurance
Moderator: Jessica Caddell
Panelists: Nathan Beauchamp (RAND), Jayson Warren (Joint Staff), Jan Gleiman (SWJ), Markus Garlauskas (Atlantic Council), Marcus Cunningham (RAND)
1545-1700 – Panel 5: The US Army’s Role in the Pacific
Moderator: Andy Webb
Panelists: Joshua Suthoff (AWC), Liam Walsh (5SFAB), Ben Blaine (OSA), Rich Creed (CAC)
