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Military Writers’ Symposium

Celebrating three decades of exceptional military writing.

MWS 30 Years

The Shadow Front: Unconventional Approaches to Warfare

Norwich University, Northfield, Vermont
October 27 to 28, 2025

The only program of its kind at an American university, the Norwich University Military Writers’ Symposium convenes authors and experts in the fields of military history, intelligence, and current affairs to offer important perspectives on pressing global concerns.

This year's theme explores the murky, often hidden dimensions of conflict where traditional rules of engagement are abandoned in favor of subversion, innovation, and psychological manipulation. This theme delves into the evolving landscape of warfare—where espionage, cyber attacks, guerrilla tactics, disinformation campaigns, proxy wars, and asymmetric strategies redefine the battlefield.

Rather than focusing on brute strength or conventional military might, The Shadow Front highlights the power of intelligence, influence, and disruption. It examines how state and non-state actors alike exploit shadows — political ambiguity, technological gaps, cultural divides, and societal unrest — to undermine adversaries from within and without.

The theme invites discussion and analysis of historical precedents, present-day conflicts, and speculative futures where unconventional warfare is not the exception, but the norm. Whether through silent sabotage, digital battlefields, or ideological insurgency, The Shadow Front reveals a world where victory belongs not always to the strongest, but to the most adaptable and unseen.

Meet the Authors Dinner
Tuesday, October 28, 2025

Tickets required.

The symposium will conclude with this not-to-be-missed dinner. Ask any former attendee and they will tell you that this dinner is a one-of-a-kind experience. Join Norwich leadership, our special guests, alumni, and students as we eat great food, engage in exciting conversation, and make lasting connections.

C D'Este Colby
Carlo D’Este ’58 Military Writers’ Endowment

Give Now

The Carlo D’Este ’58 Military Writers’ Endowment provides funding in perpetuity to support the operating costs of the Norwich University Military Writers' Symposium, the William E. Colby Award, and year-round student enrichment opportunities on military history and current affairs. It also honors the legacy of Carlo D’Este, a 1958 Norwich graduate, beloved co-founder of the Military Writers’ Symposium, decorated U.S. Army colonel and renowned military historian. Carlo passed away on November 21, 2020 at the age of 84.

Agenda

  1. Monday

    9-9:50 a.m. | Setting the Stage: The Definition of Irregular
    Mack Hall Auditorium 

    Welcome Remarks: Dr. Travis Morris, Director, NU Peace & War Center

    10-10:50 a.m. | The New Rules of War
    Mack Hall Auditorium 

    Student Moderator: Elizabeth Kim
    Authors: Sean McFate, Ph.D, Senior Fellow, The Atlantic Council; and Jill Goldenziel, Ph.D, College of Information and Cyberspace, National Defense University 

    11-11:50 a.m. | Unconventional Units: Delta Force
    Mack Hall Auditorium

    Student Moderators: 
    Speaker: Col. Wade Ishimoto

    1-1:50 p.m. | Irregular Warfare: The Future Military Strategy 
    Mack Hall Auditorium

    Student Moderators:
    Authors: Sandor Fabian, Ph.D., Deputy Regional Advisor for Europe and Africa, Irregular Warfare Center; and Janna Mantua, Ph.D., Senior Analyst and Interviewer, Afghanistan War Commission

    2-2:50 p.m. | Student Research Presentations
    Mack Hall Auditorium

    Discussion Moderators:
    Presentations by:

    7-8:30 p.m. | The Shadow Front: Unconventional Approaches to Warfare
    Plumley Armory

    Introduction: 
    Discussion Moderator:
    Panelists:

  1. Tuesday

    9:30-10:45 a.m. | Modern Warfare in Context: Forces That Shaped the Current Battlespace 
    Mack Hall Auditorium

    Moderator: Steven Sodergren, Ph.D., Norwich University  
    Author: Wayne E. Lee, Ph.D. President, Society for Military History

    11 a.m.-12:15 p.m. | Understanding War Zones
    Mack Hall Auditorium

    Authors: Kerry Chavez, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Military and Strategic Studies, U.S. Air Force Academy; and Ms. Jessica Donati, Jounalist, Wall Street Journal

    1-1:50 p.m. | Colby Award Book Presentation "The Showman: Inside the Invasion That Shook the World and Made a Leader of Volodymyr Zelenskyy"
    Mack Hall Auditorium

    Student Moderator: 
    Author: Simon Shuster, TIME Magazine Correspondent

    2-2:50 p.m. | Dennis E. Showalter Research Fellowship Presentation
    Mack Hall Auditorium

    Discussion Moderators: 
    Presenter: Oliver Groom, M'25

    6-9 p.m. | Meet the Authors Reception & Dinner (by invitation)
    National Guard Regional Readiness and Technology Center (backside of campus)

    Dinner Remarks: Lea Williams, Ph.D., Interim Provost & Dean of the Faculty, Norwich University
    Author: Simon Shuster, TIME Magazine Correspondent

Past Programs

For three decades, the Norwich Military Writers’ Symposium has brought well over 100 military writers, historians, journalists and biographers to campus, giving NU residential and online students the opportunity to meet some of the most prominent military writers and historians of our time, and to gain a better understanding of the world through their eyes. 

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