The overall purpose of the conference is to examine the notion of convergence as it becomes increasingly prominent in discussions within the Department of Defense and the Department of State, as well as the Department of Homeland Security. In recent years, the notion of threat convergence has become central to much of the national security dialogue in the United States, providing the focus for congressional hearings, an initiative by the Fund for Peace, and the theme of many academic articles.

Conference members will look at various facets of threat convergence and consider the conceptual and analytic challenges it poses. The benefits and dangers of policies focusing on convergence will also be examined. Finally, panelists will consider how convergence can be prevented or mitigated and what opportunities may exist for driving wedges between different kinds of armed groups.