​From October 6 to 7, 2026, the ancient Arsenal of the Italian Navy in Venice will host the 15th edition of the Trans-Regional Seapower Symposium (T-RSS). Organised by the Italian Navy, this Symposium has been held biennially since 1996 at the Institute of Maritime Military Studies, located within the ancient Arsenal of the Serenissima ('most serene Republic'). The event welcomes top-ranking delegates from foreign Navies, along with representatives from academia, industry, and scientific research.

The theme of this edition – 'From Regional Waters to Global Influence: generating effects across the midland seas of the world' – aims to present an analysis of the relevance and influence of regional dynamics on global balances and their relative implications within the maritime domain. In particular, it will investigate the centrality of Maritime Regional Security Complexes (M-RSC): geopolitical and geostrategic spaces centred around midland seas (seas between lands or 'global Mediterraneans') as their geographical pivots.        

The work sessions will be structured around an alternating format of Working Sessions (a moderated panel with multiple speakers) and Single Speaker Talks (a presentation by an individual speaker designed to raise awareness and inspire the audience on key topics) and will proceed according to the following schedule:

- 6 October:

- Working Session: 'The Geopolitical Background: Global and Regional Dynamics in Comparison';

- Single Speaker Talk: 'The Pivotal Role of Cooperation among Regional Alliances as Security Providers';

- Working Session: 'Maritime Regional Security Complexes, Global Order and Sea-Based Flows - What role for Navies?';

- Single Speaker Talk: 'The New Arctic Chessboard: Seapower, Resources and the Race for Connectivity';

 7 October:

- Single Speaker Talk: 'Future-Proof capabilities: A naval force designed to operate across oceans, act within regions, and deliver effects on the ground';

- Working Session: 'Future Seas: Industrial Scale, Decisive Mass and Innovation. Securing the Maritime Domain';

- Special Session: 'Future-Proof Leadership: Preparing Maritime Commanders and sailors for Complexity'.