The Irregular Warfare Initiative (IWI) and the Special Operations Association of America (SOAA) will host a two-day conference at Carahsoft Headquarters in Reston, Virginia, focused on the role of critical minerals and rare earth elements in strategic competition. As demand for these resources grows across defense, energy, and advanced technologies, control of supply chains has become a central factor in national security and irregular competition.
Bringing together 400–600 leaders from government, industry, academia, and the national security community, the conference will examine how strategic resources are used as instruments of leverage, denial, and influence. Day one will focus on supply chain vulnerabilities, economic statecraft, and gray-zone dynamics, while day two shifts to forward-looking solutions and emerging approaches to strengthening resilience. The event will also include an invitation-only working group and tabletop exercise (TTX), convening senior stakeholders to explore how to compete and shape outcomes in contested resource environments.
Bringing together 400–600 leaders from government, industry, academia, and the national security community, the conference will examine how strategic resources are used as instruments of leverage, denial, and influence. Day one will focus on supply chain vulnerabilities, economic statecraft, and gray-zone dynamics, while day two shifts to forward-looking solutions and emerging approaches to strengthening resilience. The event will also include an invitation-only working group and tabletop exercise (TTX), convening senior stakeholders to explore how to compete and shape outcomes in contested resource environments.
Location
Carahsoft HQ
11493 Sunset Hills Road, Reston, VA
11493 Sunset Hills Road, Reston, VA
Date & Time
July 21, 2026, 8:30 AM- 4:00 PM
July 22, 2026, 8:30 AM- 3:30 PM
July 22, 2026, 8:30 AM- 3:30 PM
CONFERENCE AGENDA
Day One: Tuesday, July 21st
Systems, Risk & Strategic Competition
7:30 AM
Registration and Coffee
8:30 AM
Welcome
8:45 AM
Opening Remarks
Special Operations Association of America (SOAA) and Irregular Warfare Initiative (IWI) Leadership
9:00 AM
Keynote Address
Keynote Speaker TBA
9:30 AM
Networking Break
9:45 AM
Panel One: Supply Chain Deconstructed
Mining, processing, logistics, and critical chokepoints
10:35 AM
Featured Industry Brief
Vendor TBA
10:45 AM
Networking Break
11:00 AM
Panel Two: Economic Statecraft & Strategic Competition
Resource constraints, national security implications, and investment as a tool of state power
11:50 AM
Fireside Chat
Speakers TBA
12:30 AM
Lunch
1:30 PM
Panel Three: Illicit Networks & Grey Zone Activity
Non-state actors, shadow trade, and proxy dynamics
2:20 PM
Featured Industry Brief
Vendor TBA
2:30 PM
Panel Four: Private Sector on the Front Lines
Industry perspectives on operating in contested environments
3:35 PM
Closing Remarks
4:00 PM
Networking Reception & Strategic Capabilities Showcase
Network with attendees and engage with organizations advancing solutions in critical minerals and supply chain security.
Day Two: Wednesday, July 22nd
Futures, Solutions & Strategic Response
7:30 AM
Coffee and Conversation
8:30 AM
Opening Remarks
8:40 AM
Keynote Address
Speaker TBA
9:10 AM
Panel Five: The Future of Extraction & Processing
Emerging methods, alternative materials, and reshoring efforts
10:00 AM
Networking Break
10:00 AM -
2:00 PM
2:00 PM
Invite-Only Table Top Exercise (TTX)
Closed-door scenario-based session for senior leaders from government, industry, and academia.
10:20 AM
Panel Six: Innovation in Supply Chain Resiliency & Security
Tools, data, and approaches to improving visibility and control
11:10 AM
Networking Break
10:20 AM
Innovation Showcase
Showcasing emerging solutions and innovative approaches shaping the future of strategic resource competition.
12:15 PM
Lunch
1:15 PM
Panel Seven: Building Resilient Systems
Public-private coordination, capital deployment, and policy frameworks
2:05 PM
Networking Break
2:20 PM
Closing Fireside Chat: What Happens Next
A forward-looking discussion on priorities, constraints, and pathways for strategic advantage
3:15 PM
Closing Remarks
About Us
Irregular Warfare Initiative (IWI)
The Irregular Warfare Initiative (IWI) is a non-profit organization working to bridge the gap between scholars, practitioners, and policymakers engaged in the study and practice of irregular warfare. Through a mix of publications, podcasts, and events, IWI fosters dialogue on gray zone conflict, information warfare, proxy competition, and other forms of conflict that fall below the threshold of conventional war. By connecting academic research with operational insights, IWI helps prepare today’s thought leaders for the complex challenges of the modern national security environment and strategic competition.
Special Operations Association of America (SOAA)
The Special Operations Association of America (SOAA) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advocating for the interests of the U.S. special operations community. SOAA works to ensure that current and former special operations personnel receive the support, resources, and recognition they have earned. The organization also engages directly with Congress, the Department of Defense, and other stakeholders on national security issues that affect the special operations enterprise. SOAA promotes public understanding of special operations through strategic communications, veteran engagement, and partnerships with industry and academia.
Location
Carahsoft HQ
11493 Sunset Hills Road, Reston, VA
11493 Sunset Hills Road, Reston, VA
Contact Us
If you have questions about the conference, are interested in sponsorship opportunities, would like to participate as a speaker or attendee, or are interested in supporting the event, please contact our team.
We welcome engagement from government, industry, academia, media, and organizations working in areas related to strategic resources, supply chains, and irregular competition.
We welcome engagement from government, industry, academia, media, and organizations working in areas related to strategic resources, supply chains, and irregular competition.