April 2026 Newsletter
2026 Sedona Forum Speakers, Full Agenda Announced
The McCain Institute has released the speaker lineup and full agenda for the 2026 Sedona Forum taking place May 1 – 2 in Sedona, Arizona. Notable speakers include Executive Director of the World Food Programme Cindy McCain, United States Under Secretary of Agriculture for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Luke Lindberg, United States Senators Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), United States Representatives Jason Crow (D-Colo.-06), Craig Goldman (R-TX-12) and Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.-16), Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs, U.S. AFRICOM Commander Gen. Dagvin R.M. Anderson, NBA Cares President of Social Responsibility & Player Programs Kathy Behrens, NBC News Senior White House Correspondent Kelly O’Donnell, and more.
April Highlights
McCain Institute Announces Defense News, NOTUS, Punchbowl News, and The Washington Post as 2026 Sedona Forum Media Partners
The McCain Institute is partnering with Defense News, NOTUS, Punchbowl News, and The Washington Post for the 13th annual Sedona Forum May 1-2, 2026. The theme, “The Challenges to American Dominance,” will examine the dynamics and threats reshaping America’s position in the world. Meet them here.
McCain Institute Launches Fellowship for Ukrainian Leaders
The McCain Institute is proud to announce the McCain Global Leaders Ukraine Fellowship - a three-month hybrid program for emerging Ukrainian leaders focused on post-war reconstruction. Applications close April 30, 2026. Read more.
McCain Global Leaders Unveil Refurbished John S. McCain Monument, Complete Legacy Experience in Vietnam
The McCain Global Leaders 2025 Cohort concluded their 12-month fellowship in Vietnam—a country whose history is forever intertwined with both the United States and Senator John McCain. Over the course of the experience, leaders engaged deeply with Vietnam’s history, explored its path toward reconciliation, and reflected on their own role in advancing principled leadership. Read more.
McCain Institute Launches McCain Global Leaders Impact Fund
The McCain Global Leaders Impact Fund will help cultivate character-driven leaders around the world by providing MGL alumni access to financial capital that will strengthen the impact and longevity of projects. Learn more.
McCain Institute’s John McCain Freedom for Political Prisoners Initiative Announces Four New Advisory Board Members
The McCain Institute's Freedom for Political Prisoners Initiative (FPPI) welcomes four new advisory board members: Irwin Cotler, Félix Maradiaga, Mark V. Vlasic, and Hector Schamis - as FPPI marks one year of bringing political prisoners home. Read more.
Blog: Mothers’ Call for Peace Inspires Hope and Partnership
In a new blog, McCain Institute Senior Director for Human Rights & Freedom Amy O’Neill Richard writes about a peace walk recently held in Rome by Mothers’ Call for Peace, and how it inspires hope and partnership. Read more.
Think No More: Advancing Policy Translation at the Intersection of AI, National Security, and Democratic Governance
The American Democracy Program at the McCain Institute hosted an AI workshop that brought together policymakers, defense leaders, and expert voices to examine research on the forces shaping AI and discuss ways to bridge the gap between technology and policy Read more.
Blog: Faith, Power, and the Crisis of Moral Leadership in Armenia
McCain Global Leader Gor Badalyan from Armenia outlines how character-driven leadership can make a difference for the future of Armenia. Read more.
Blog: Talk to Your Neighbor
McCain Global Leader Lt. James Eggers reflects on how a week of meaningful dialogue during the Arizona Changemaker tour reshaped his understanding of leadership, community, and the power of simply talking to your neighbor. Read more.
Blog: Sixteen Were Freed. More Than 1,600 Remain — and They Will Shape Russia’s Future
The more than 1,600 political prisoners Russia fears tell us more about Russia than its rulers do, write McCain Institute's Pedro Pizano and Free Russia Foundation's Natalia Arno in a new blog. Read more.
Sedona Forum – Tokyo Agenda and Speakers Announced
The McCain Institute and the International House of Japan (I-House) released the agenda and speaker lineup for the Sedona Forum – Tokyo Read more.
McCain Institute Announces Amy O’Neill Richard as New Senior Director for Human Rights and Freedom
The McCain Institute welcomes Amy O’Neill Richard as its new Senior Director for the Human Rights & Freedom program. Learn more about Amy and her 30 years of advancing human rights and combating trafficking in persons here.
April Media
McCain Institute's Evelyn Farkas joined Arizona Horizon to discuss the latest in the conflict between the U.S. and Iran, including warnings to open the Strait of Hormuz.
On FOX 10 Phoenix, Dr. Evelyn Farkas examined what U.S. negotiators hoped to achieve at the U.S.-Iran peace talks in Pakistan.
Dr. Evelyn Farkas discussed the latest on Iran and took viewer questions on C-SPAN's Washington Journal.
Dr. Evelyn Farkas joined NewsNation's Elizabeth Vargas to discuss tensions in Iran.
Dr. Evelyn Farkas joined CNN's Erin Burnett in New York City to discuss escalations in Iran.
Congratulations to the crew of Artemis II, and pilot Victor Glover—former legislative aide and defense fellow for Senator John McCain— on their successful space mission.
On Bloomberg's Balance of Power, Dr. Evelyn Farkas shared insights on how economic incentives will provide U.S. leverage with Iran.
Events:
Register for the
Sedona Forum Livestream
Bringing Americans Home
On Wednesday, July 24, the McCain Institute at Arizona State University (ASU) co-sponsored the James W. Foley Legacy Foundation’s release of its sixth annual edition of “Bringing Americans Home,” an independent research report that provides new information about the ongoing crisis of Americans taken hostage abroad by terrorists or wrongfully detained by nation-states.
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