August 2025 Newsletter
Arizona Recognizes Second Annual John McCain Democracy Week August 25–31, 2025
Governor Katie Hobbs proclaimed August 25–31, 2025, as the second annual John McCain Democracy Week, honoring Senator McCain’s legacy on what would have been his 89th birthday on August 29, and the seven-year anniversary of his death on August 25. The proclamation recognizes Senator McCain’s enduring legacy in the state of Arizona, working for the people of Arizona, and his lifetime achievements fighting for freedom, democracy, and human rights in the United States and around the globe.
August 2025
August media
The Washington Post's Paul Kane highlights McCain Institute event in U.S. Senate, Senator John McCain's legacy countering Putin.
“To eliminate the knowledge and expertise of these people from your arsenal is like throwing bullets down the toilet," said McCain Institute's Dr. Evelyn Farkas to The Washington Post, discussing the risks of firing experts with decades of knowledge about America's adversaries.
McCain Institute's Evelyn Farkas joined NPR's Morning Edition to discuss the prospect for a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine.
Dr. Evelyn Farkas joined Kristen Welker and Andrea Mitchell on NBC News' Meet the Press NOW to discuss possible paths forward for ending the war in Ukraine.
McCain Institute Executive Director Dr. Evelyn N Farkas joined Balance of Power on Bloomberg TV to discuss U.S. intervention in trying to end Russia's incursion on Ukraine.
McCain Institute's Evelyn Farkas joined C-SPAN's Washington Journal to answer viewer questions on the latest in Russia's incursion on Ukraine.
"He wants to stop war, and that is laudable," said McCain Institute's Evelyn Farkas to The Dispatch in response to administration claims of ending six wars.
McCain Institute Executive Director Dr. Evelyn Farkas spoke to Garrett M. Graff for POLITICO Magazine about the potential for new global conflicts to arise.
McCain Institute Executive Director Dr. Evelyn Farkas spoke with the United Kingdom's Channel 4 News on Russia-Ukraine ceasefire talks .
“They’re flying blind without the expertise,” said McCain Institute's Dr. Evelyn Farkas in the New York Times about experienced staff exited from the federal government.
Dr. Evelyn Farkas joined Mark Leon Goldberg on the Global Dispatches podcast to discuss U.S.-Russia relations.
August Highlights
McCain Institute Engages in High-Profile Media Assessments of Diplomacy to End Russia’s War of Aggression Against Ukraine
As the U.S. ramps up its diplomatic drive to end Russia’s war in Ukraine, McCain Institute Executive Director Dr. Evelyn Farkas sat down with more than 10 media outlets to offer real-time, realistic assessments of the diplomatic and political-military dynamics. Read more.
New Carnegie Grant Fuels McCain Institute’s Fight for Political Prisoners
The McCain Institute received a generous grant from the Carnegie Corporation of New York to help boost its work on behalf of political prisoners and hostages, serving as seed funding for the John McCain Freedom for Political Prisoners Initiative. Read more.
Europe and Eurasia McCain Global Leaders Visit Poland for Discussions on Democracy and Combating Extremism and Authoritarianism in the Region
The McCain Global Leaders visited Poland to witness a vibrant democracy, and to better understand its security priorities, and work to protect the free press and counter hate and extremism. Read more.
Blog: Whispers of Memory, Echoes of Resolve
In a new blog, 2024 McCain Global Leader Gor Badalyan from Armenia reflects on his recent visit to Auschwitz-Birkenau and the actions he believes must be taken to ensure “never again” holds true. Read more.
Blog: Eight Months On: Advancing Jesús’s Case Before the UN
McCain Global Leader Jesús Armas was unlawfully detained in Venezuela in December 2024. Marilena Stegbauer, McCain Global Leader, and part of Jesús’ legal team, shares how her team is working to bring his case to the United Nations in her new blog. Read more.
Blog: Following the Money: How Financial Evidence is Shaping Human Trafficking Prosecutions
McCain Institute Junior Fellow Jillian Proshan illustrates the interconnectedness of human trafficking and money laundering in a new blog. Read more.
Blog: Uncovering Evil: Illegal Organ Harvesting in China and the 2025 “Stop Forced Organ Harvesting Act”
McCain Institute Junior Fellow Jillian Proshan uncovers the illegal organ harvesting enterprise in China, and what United States legislators are doing to deter it.
Read more.
Blog: Europe’s War of Identity and Memory
McCain Institute Junior Fellow Blake Uhlig discusses how former Soviet states have redefined their national identities, and how Russia is attempting to rewrite history. Read more.
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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To ensure the long-term success and longevity of the McCain Institute, consider linking your own legacy with that of Senator McCain and his family through a gift that will make a lasting difference for future generations.
Calling all McCainiacs!
If you were involved with the late Senator, as a member of his legislative staff or as a campaign volunteer, consider becoming a part of the Institute by joining the McCain Alumni Club.