Dr. Alfred Oehlers discusses Pacific security at Irregular Warfare Symposium

Dr. Alfred Oehlers of the Daniel K. Inouye Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies participated in the 2026 Irregular Warfare Center Annual Symposium. The event, held from August 4-6, focused on the theme “Irregular Warfare in the Homeland: Adapting for a Secure Future.”

During the symposium, Oehlers served as a panelist for sessions addressing asymmetric threats and the blurring lines of traditional military engagement. In one session, moderated by IWC Director Dr. Dennis Walters, the discussion covered how strategic competitors utilize nonkinetic and gray-zone tactics to target domestic infrastructure and exploit societal divisions within the United States.

Oehlers also participated in a breakout session titled “The Homeland in the Pacific,” which examined the reach of U.S. interests across regions including Hawaii, Alaska, American Samoa, and Guam.