March 2026 Newsletter
McCain Institute Hosts US-UK Transatlantic Conference on Hostage-Taking and Arbitrary Detention at the US Capitol
The McCain Institute convened the U.S.–U.K. Transatlantic Conference on Hostage-Taking and Arbitrary Detention at the U.S. Capitol alongside the office of Senator Peter Welch, the Global Magnitsky Justice Campaign, 30 October Foundation, and the Raoul Wallenberg Centre for Human Rights, bringing together lawmakers, former political prisoners, and advocates to advance transatlantic cooperation.
March Highlights
McCain Institute Announces 2026 American Democracy and Technology Fellowship Cohort
The McCain Institute welcomed the 2026 cohort of its American Democracy and Technology Fellowship, who will engage policymakers, national security leaders, analysts, and others to advance and translate big ideas that will transform democracy and technology in America. Meet them here.
McCain Institute Hosts 2026 National Security & Counterterrorism Fellows in Washington, D.C.
The McCain Institute gathered its 2026 National Security & Counterterrorism Fellows in Washington, D.C. to begin this year’s fellowship. The weeklong trip included face-to-face meetings with senior national security leaders, lawmakers, journalists, and visits to the U.S. Capitol and Arlington National Cemetery. Read more.
McCain Institute Delegation Conducts Pre-Election Assessment in Armenia
The McCain Institute has released a report ahead of Armenia's June 7 National Assembly Elections following a delegation visit. Read more.
Embassy of Liechtenstein Hosts McCain Institute and Justice & Care Convening of Prosecutors and Practitioners to Advance International Action Against Human Trafficking
The McCain Institute, Justice & Care, and the Embassy of Liechtenstein brought together practitioners and experts for a conversation on how stronger international collaboration can support more effective prosecutions of human trafficking cases. Read more.
ICYMI: McCain Institute’s Dr. Evelyn N. Farkas’ Op-Ed in The Hill: “Europe Should Follow Japan’s Lead in the Changing Global Order”
McCain Institute Executive Director Evelyn Farkas writes in The Hill that European allies should follow Japan's lead: demonstrate strength through action against Russia and China, rather than compromising with authoritarian adversaries. Read more.
McCain Institute Commemorates Third Annual US Hostage and Wrongful Detainee Day at US Department of State
The McCain Institute co-hosted the third annual U.S. Hostage and Wrongful Detainee Day in partnership with Hostage US, the Office of Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs (SPEHA), and the James W. Foley Legacy Foundation at the U.S. Department of State this week. Secretary of State Rubio, SPEHA Boehler, and more delivered remarks, and the McCain Institute's Pedro Pizano moderated a panel on life post-detainment. 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.
March Media
McCain Institute's Evelyn Farkas spoke at GLOBSEC's #USEuropeForum on the strategic importance of supporting Ukraine.
Distinguished Senior Fellow of the John McCain Freedom for Political Prisoners Initiative Amb. Roger Carstens joined NewsNation to discuss the process of helping release of detained Americans.
Arizona Horizon welcomed Dr. Evelyn Farkas to discuss U.S. actions in Iran and future de-escalation in the region.
Dr. Evelyn N. Farkas joined The World This Weekend on BBC Radio 4 to discuss the latest on the war in Iran.
Dr. Evelyn Farkas commented on Russia's involvement in the ongoing U.S.-Iran conflict for The New York Times.
McCain Institute's Nicholas Rasmussen joined PBS NewsHour to discuss U.S. intelligence and counterterrorism efforts.
Dr. Evelyn Farkas spoke on Monocle Radio during the Munich Security Conference about U.S. transatlantic alliances.
“There are things our government can do in the near term that would move us, hopefully, to diplomacy faster,” said Dr. Evelyn Farkas while speaking with NewsNation about the Strait of Hormuz.
Dr. Evelyn Farkas shared insights on U.S. foreign policy developments in the Middle East with The Forward.
Dr. Evelyn N. Farkas spoke with Arizona Horizon's Ted Simons to discuss the war in Iran, and the geopolitics impacting oil prices.
“The ideal scenario is that we solve this with diplomacy," said Dr. Evelyn Farkas on FOX10 Phoenix regarding de-escalation between the U.S. and Iran.
Events:
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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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