The McCain Institute’s 12th annual Sedona Forum emphasized the United States’ unparalleled economic, military, and technological might on the global stage. World leaders, elected officials, and distinguished journalists addressed challenges, celebrated wins, and discussed how to keep the United States, and the world, a free and prosperous place. Here are a few takeaways from the 2025 Sedona Forum:
1. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, Belarusian political activist spoke with Senator Amy Klobuchar, Representative Jason Crow, and the McCain Institute’s Dr. Evelyn Farkas on peace in Ukraine, the return of stolen Ukrainian children, and the continued safety of Eastern Europe.
2. Vice President of the Free Russia Foundation Vladimir Kara-Murza, John McCain Freedom for Political Prisoners Distinguished Senior Fellow and former Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs (SPEHA) Amb. Roger D. Carstens, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty Journalist Alsu Kurmasheva, and President and CEO of the Knight Foundation Maribel Pérez Wadsworth discussed politically motivated detentions, and the power of local journalism to topple authoritarian regimes.
3. Former Senator Kyrsten Sinema and Oklahoma’s Senior Senator James Lankford discussed the importance of the United States’ presence on the global stage, and the need for continued international engagement.
4. U.S. Indo-Pacific Commander and Keynote Speaker Adm. Samuel Paparo shared warnings with Financial Times Correspondent Demetri Sevastopulo on the growing threat China poses to U.S. allies in the Pacific.
5. Jimmy McCain presented the Courage & Leadership Award to Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado in recognition of her courage in the fight against the Maduro regime, in pursuit of a democratic Venezuela.
For more news and recaps from the 2025 Sedona Forum, follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter/X, Facebook, Instagram, and Bluesky.