University of South Florida to Host 2026 International Security Experience

Key Takeaways

• USF hosts 2026 International Security Experience April 14‑17
• Three events cover AI, UAVs, HUMINT, quantum tech, and policy
• 20 teams compete in Army War College‑style strategy competition
• Small Wars Journal’s Ken Gleiman judges undergraduate competition
• Event connects academia, industry, and senior security leaders

Pulse Analysis

The University of South Florida is positioning itself as a hub for next‑generation security education with the 2026 International Security Experience, a four‑day series scheduled for April 14‑17. Hosted by USF’s Global and National Security Institute, the event brings together scholars, practitioners, and students to dissect the rapid convergence of intelligence, technology, and policy. Partnerships with King’s College London and the academic journal Intelligence and National Security lend an international dimension, while the campus’s Marshall Student Center provides a modern venue for high‑level dialogue. As geopolitical tensions intensify, such interdisciplinary forums are becoming essential for cultivating adaptable security professionals.

The program’s three pillars address the full spectrum of contemporary threats. The opening Intelligence & Technology Conference spotlights artificial intelligence, unmanned aerial systems, and emerging data‑fusion tools, feeding directly into a forthcoming special journal issue. The student‑run Future Strategist Program Conference follows with panels on human intelligence, disinformation campaigns, quantum computing, and the delicate balance between surveillance and civil liberties. By exposing participants to cutting‑edge research and real‑world case studies, the conferences bridge the gap between theory and practice, equipping attendees with the analytical frameworks needed to navigate an increasingly complex security landscape.

The capstone Undergraduate Strategy Competition mirrors the U.S. Army War College’s war‑gaming exercises, drawing twenty multidisciplinary teams from U.S. and international institutions. Over two days, teams craft policy objectives and operational plans for a simulated national‑security scenario, testing both conceptual rigor and pragmatic decision‑making. Small Wars Journal editor‑in‑chief Col. (Ret.) Ken Gleiman serves as a judge, underscoring the event’s credibility and its link to professional networks. Winners gain visibility among senior leaders, while all participants expand their strategic toolkit and forge connections that can accelerate careers in defense, intelligence, and consultancy.