March 2025 Newsletter
McCain Institute SXSW Panel Highlights Youth Leaders Fighting Authoritarianism
Young democracy advocates from Hong Kong, Guatemala, and Zimbabwe joined the McCain Institute’s Dr. Evelyn Farkas on stage at South by Southwest (SXSW) in Austin, Texas for the panel discussion, “The Next Generation: Youth Leaders Fighting Authoritarianism.” Emphasizing the impactful, pro-democracy efforts of young people around the world, the McCain Institute-led panel was chosen out of more than 4,700 proposals for this year’s SXSW festival.
Michael Svetlik Appointed as McCain Institute Chief Operating Officer
The McCain Institute announced Michael Svetlik as its new chief operating officer. Svetlik brings over 25 years of experience in non-profit management. Read more.
Amb. Roger D. Carstens Announced as McCain Institute Distinguished Senior Fellow
Former Special Envoy for Hostage Affairs Roger Carstens joined the McCain Institute as the inaugural John McCain Freedom for Political Prisoners Initiative distinguished senior fellow. Read more.
McCain Institute 2025 National Security & Counterterrorism Fellows Convened in Washington, DC
The 16 leaders representing all Five Eyes alliance countries met with journalists, government and NGO leaders, and national security experts. Read more.
McCain Institute Honored Hostage and Wrongful Detainee Day at the US State Department
The McCain Institute partnered with the office of the Special Envoy for Hostage Affairs for an event recognizing Hostage and Wrongful Detainee Day. Read more.
New McCain Global Leaders Advisory Council Members
The three new councilmembers include a former U.S. government official, a former head of state, and private sector leader. Read more.
New McCain Institute Artificial Intelligence Blog Series
In “Psybernomics,” McCain Institute’s Hallie Stern explores humanity’s obligation to develop new technology ethically. Read more.
Amid Authoritarian Aggression, Voices of Opposition Unite Us
McCain Institute’s Emma Marotta highlighted the power of peaceful rallies led by high-profile, pro-democracy advocates. Read more.
Burma’s Doh Ayay Rings On: Four Years Since the Coup
Burmese American May Soe Min detailed Burma’s fight for democracy and called on democratic nations to take action.
Read more.
March 2025
Media
On the second annual Hostage and Wrongful Detainee Day, the McCain Institute recognized all Americans unjustly detained or held hostage around the world.
Dr. Evelyn Farkas joined Meet the Press NOW to discuss the intricacies of a Ukraine-Russa peace deal following Zelenskyy’s oval office meeting.
March 19 marked 100 days since Venezuelan pro-democracy activist and McCain Global Leader Jesùs Armas was kidnapped and disappeared by the Maduro regime.
The McCain Institute recognized the 52nd anniversary of Senator McCain’s release from Vietnam after being held captive as a prisoner of war for over five years.
On BBC News and The Foreign Desk, Dr. Evelyn Farkas discussed the U.S.’ role in the war in Ukraine and the importance of standing up to authoritarianism.
On Bloomberg TV, Dr. Evelyn Farkas discussed the recent airstrikes in Gaza and the latest on the U.S.-Ukraine relationship.
The McCain Institute welcomed two new Freedom for Political Prisoners Initiative Advisory Council members.
Dr. Evelyn Farkas joined MSNBC to discuss the latest updates on the war in Ukraine, including Ukraine-Russia peace talks, the role of the U.S. in negotiations, intelligence sharing with Ukraine, a “reset” between the U.S. and Russia, and how Ukraine can leverage the support of the American people.
Arizona State University flew the Hostage and Wrongful Detainee flag over their D.C. office in honor of the second annual Hostage and Wrongful Detainee Day.
Dr. Evelyn Farkas joined Prof. Linda McKie for a fireside chat at Security & Defence PLuS’ Athena Series: Women in Strategy Conference at ASU.
McCain Institute’s Laura Thornton spoke on the panel “What Alliances Do We Need in Perilous Times?” hosted by Zócalo Public Square at ASU’s California Center.
The McCain Institute celebrated the graduation of Service Dog McCain, who was named to honor the McCain family military legacy.
In interviews with USA Today, Arizona PBS Horizon, and The Monk Debate Podcast, Dr. Evelyn Farkas discussed the global significnace of the administration’s position on the Russia-Ukraine war and the dangers of allowing Putin to succeed.
Events:
The McCain Institute
Washington Forum
The McCain Institute Washington Forum will convene global leaders, experts, and humanitarians for a daylong forum to identify solutions to the most pressing challenges impacting human and planetary health. The forum theme, “Democracy, Human Rights & Leadership in Action,” will highlight the McCain Institute’s work to counter rising authoritarianism, an erosion of democratic norms, growing violations of human rights, and a lack of principled, character-driven leadership at home and abroad. Inspired by the maverick spirit of Senator John McCain, the forum will place a strong emphasis on harnessing innovation and collaboration to meet these challenges head-on.
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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