Description

Building on the success of last year’s inaugural program, we are proud to host COUNTERTERRORISM2026 — now expanded to two full days in response to overwhelming demand and the rapidly evolving threat environment.

This mission-focused convening brings together leaders from government, law enforcement, academia, and the private sector to examine the current state of terrorism and the complex landscape shaping tomorrow’s risks.

As threats continue to evolve in speed, scale, and sophistication, this year’s expanded program will provide deeper operational insight and strategic analysis into:

• Emerging terrorist organizations and global networks
• Shifting tactics, tradecraft, and technology adoption
• Target selection trends and critical infrastructure risks
• Domestic radicalization dynamics
• Cross-border and transnational threat linkages
• The role of innovation, AI, and digital platforms in extremist operations

Designed for practitioners and decision-makers, the Summit moves beyond theory to explore real-world case studies, intelligence assessments, and frontline lessons learned.

COUNTERTERRORISM2026 also invites presentation submissions of original research, practitioner insights, case studies, and policy analyses that advance understanding of terrorism and effective counterterrorism responses in an evolving security environment.

This multidisciplinary collaboration brings together public and private-sector federal, state, and local counterterrorism professionals, law enforcement practitioners, academic researchers, and industry experts to address the most critical challenges posed by terrorism to the United States and the global community. We seek to bridge the gap between academia and practice through multidisciplinary collaboration and information exchange.

Conference Themes and Focus Areas

We seek high-quality submissions on topics including, but not limited to:

Terrorist Activity in the United States

Deep analyses of terrorist movements, motivations, patterns, and case studies of significant incidents (e.g., vehicle-ramming attacks and other mass-casualty events). Studies on emerging terrorist groups, ideological and attack trends, lone-actor radicalization, and shifts in threat landscapes that recognize what front-line operators need to know are especially encouraged. 

Terrorist Tactics in the U.S. and Abroad

Comparative research on operational methods used by terrorist actors globally, including evolving tactics, target selection, and adaptation to security countermeasures. Tactics and trends related to mass gatherings are particularly of interest. 

Cyber and Technological Dimensions of Terrorism

Exploration of cyberterrorism, digital recruitment, network exploitation, and virtual radicalization. Papers on emerging threats such as extremist hacking groups, coordinated attacks, and cyber campaigns are welcome. Vulnerabilities in information exchange networks used to assess inbound international and intra-national travelers are also of interest.

Use of Artificial Intelligence in Terrorism and Counterterrorism

Investigations into how terrorist groups are leveraging AI for propaganda, recruitment, operational planning, or cyberattacks, as well as innovations in AI-assisted threat detection and predictive analytics for counterterrorism. Use of AI for targeted attacks on critical infrastructure, secondary attacks, or other specific targets is encouraged.

Open-Source Intelligence, Data Analytics, and Threat Monitoring

Empirical work on capturing, integrating, and interpreting data from open sources (OSINT) to detect chatter, monitor extremist activity, and forecast threats. Studies of tools, methodologies, and ethical challenges in modern intelligence are encouraged. 

Attacks and Threats Against Large-Scale Venues and Events

Research on security challenges associated with high-profile gatherings and mass venues, including risk assessment, mitigation strategies, planning frameworks, and case analyses of threats to major U.S. events. Interested in presentations considering both physical and IT security that consider evolving threats like drones, coordination among stakeholders, and increased information sharing.

Emerging and Cross-Cutting Trends in Terrorism

Innovative scholarship on new or underexamined phenomena—such as drone use by extremist actors, technology-enabled tactics, shifts in ideological drivers, transnational linkages, and the intersection of terrorism with cybercrime or organized crime. 

Audience

COUNTERTERRORISM 2026 welcomes contributions relevant to:

• Federal, state, and local counterterrorism and homeland security professionals
• Law enforcement and intelligence community practitioners
• Academic researchers in security studies, political science, computer science, and related fields
• Policy makers, analysts, and private sector partners engaged in security technologies and risk management

Submission Instructions

Deadline: March 20, 2026

Submission Email: membership@gtscoalition.com

Submit: Abstracts of the proposed presentation with key takeaways (300–500 words) should be submitted to: membership@gtscoalition.com

Format: Submissions should include a clear statement of the presentation’s key objectives, findings, and insights, and relevance to counterterrorism practice or policy.

Submissions may be research-based or practitioner-focused. Research submissions should demonstrate analytical rigor and engagement with relevant literature. Practitioner submissions may emphasize operational experience, case studies, lessons learned, or applied solutions.

Please include the lead presenter’s CV and a brief summary of relevant professional experience.

Presentation and Publication Requirement

Selected presenters will deliver their work at COUNTERTERRORISM 2026 (April 20–21, 2026) and must submit a 1,000–1,500-word publication-ready article to Homeland Security Today by May 1, 2026.