Vanderbilt University will host one of the nation鈥檚 leading forums on national security April 23鈥�24 at The Pinnacle in downtown Nashville as the newly renamed Asness Summit on Modern Conflict and Emerging Threats returns for its fifth year鈥攂ringing together senior leaders from government, military, intelligence, technology and academia.
This year the summit marks a major milestone in its evolution. What began as a university convening has grown into a nationally recognized platform for serious dialogue on modern conflict and emerging threats.
The summit was renamed this year following a landmark $10 million gift from Cliff and Laurel Asness, reflecting its expanding reach and national significance.
The Asness Summit now sits within the global sequence of national security dialogue鈥攆rom Davos to Munich to Nashville鈥攅xtending that conversation with a focus on modern conflict, intelligence and today鈥檚 most pressing strategic challenges.
A Defining Theme for a Complex Era
This year鈥檚 theme鈥�鈥淭he Shadow of War, The Illusion of Peace: National Security in the Age of Asymmetry鈥�鈥攚ill explore how shifting dynamics in power, technology and diplomacy are reshaping the global security landscape. From cyber operations to supply chains to information warfare, the summit will examine how conflict increasingly operates below the threshold of traditional war.
High-Level Keynote Speakers
The 2026 Asness Summit will feature an exceptional lineup of keynote speakers, including:
- Gen. Dan Caine, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
- Gina Raimondo, former U.S. Secretary of Commerce
- Gen. Michael 鈥淓rik鈥� Kurilla (Ret.), former Commander of U.S. Central Command
- Dan Wang, author of Breakneck: China鈥檚 Quest to Engineer the Future
Additional distinguished speakers from across the national security community will participate in panels and discussions throughout the event.
A Full Week of Engagement: National Security Week
This year, the summit expands into a broader National Security Week, offering new opportunities for students and faculty to engage directly with the issues shaping today鈥檚 security environment.
Student Leadership Day
Held in the lead-up to the summit, Student Leadership Day on April 21 will give Vanderbilt students direct access to national security practitioners from OpenAI, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, and the U.S. Department of Justice through immersive discussions and interactive sessions. Students can expect candid conversations, exposure to real-world challenges, and opportunities to connect with leaders across sectors.
Faculty Academic Workshop
The Faculty Academic Workshop on April 22 will convene scholars to explore emerging research and foster interdisciplinary collaboration on modern conflict and security issues.
What Students Can Expect
For students, the Asness Summit offers a rare opportunity to engage with decision-makers at the highest levels. Attendees will gain insight into real-time global challenges, hear directly from those shaping policy and strategy, and participate in a dynamic environment designed to bridge theory and practice.
From panel discussions on cyber operations and supply chain vulnerabilities to conversations on the cognitive battlespace, students will leave with a deeper understanding of how national security is evolving鈥攁nd where they can play a role.
Event Details
- What: Asness Summit on Modern Conflict and Emerging Threats
- When: April 23鈥�24, 2026
- Where: The Pinnacle, downtown Nashville
- Hosted by: Vanderbilt University Institute of National Security
Request an Invitation
The Asness Summit is an invite-only event. To view the latest programming and request an invitation, visit .
