October 2025 Newsletter
McCain Institute Announces International House of Japan as Official Partner for Sedona Forum – Tokyo
The McCain Institute is excited to announce the International House of Japan (I-House) as the official partner and host venue for the inaugural Sedona Forum – Tokyo.
October Highlights
Western Hemisphere McCain Global Leaders Visit Arizona State University, U.S.-Mexico Border During Study Tour Focused on Migration
The 2025 Western Hemisphere McCain Global Leaders (MGLs) visited Phoenix, Tempe, Tucson, and Nogales, Arizona, for an in-depth study tour focused on migration Read more.
McCain Institute Marks International Religious Freedom Day with New Report on Religious Persecution
On International Religious Freedom Day, the McCain Institute released a new report highlighting religious persecution worldwide and how the United States can counteract it. Read more.
McCain Institute's Dr. Evelyn Farkas Meets with Ukraine President Zelenskyy
Dr. Farkas met with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy alongside the heads of other American think tanks to discuss the ongoing war and Ukraine's defense industry.
ICYMI: McCain Institute’s Laura Thornton’s Op-Ed in Just Security: “After Another Sham Election in Georgia, the Country’s Citizens Persist”
McCain Institute Senior Director of Global Democracy Programs Laura Thornton highlights the deepening democratic decline in Georgia following the October 4, 2025, local elections in her most recent op-ed for Just Security. Read more.
Joint Statement on the International Day of Political Prisoners
The John McCain Freedom for Political Prisoners Initiative led a group of more than 13 organizations in recognizing the International Day of Political Prisoners on October 30. Read more.
McCain Institute Executive Director Remarks on Anniversary of October 7 Hamas Terror Attack
McCain Institute Executive Director Dr. Evelyn Farkas issued a statement on the anniversary of the October 7, 2023, attack, when Hamas terrorists, backed by Iran, killed 1,200 people, and seized more than 240 hostages in the deadliest day for the Jewish people since the Holocaust. Read more.
Blog: Strength of Character – A McCain Leadership Experience
“To get things done, you need to be of unquestionable character.” In a new blog, McCain Global Leader Ajay Krishnan reflects on his MGL Leadership Experience. Read more.
McCain Institute & Human Rights Organizations Submit Case of Abducted Ukrainian Children to UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention
The McCain Institute and global partners have submitted the case of more than 20,000 abducted Ukrainian children to the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention. Read more.
McCain Institute Congratulates Its Courage & Leadership Awardee for Receiving Nobel Peace Prize
The McCain Institute congratulates María Corina Machado, a fearless leader of Venezuela’s democratic movement, for being awarded the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize. Machado was awarded the McCain Institute's Courage & Leadership Award at the 2025 Sedona Forum. Read more.
Blog: The State of Politics in the U.S. and the Role of Leadership in Polarized Times
McCain Global Leader Vira Konstantynova reflects on the 2025 Leadership Experience and the interconnectedness of Ukraine and the U.S. in a new blog. Read more.
Blog: Honoring McCain’s Legacy Through Leadership, Character, and Service
McCain Global Leader Lieutenant James Eggers reflects on Senator John McCain's commitment to service in a new blog. Read more.
October Media
McCain Institute John McCain Freedom for Political Prisoners Initiative Distinguished Senior Fellow and Advisor Amb. Roger Carstens joined Anderson Cooper 360 to share his thoughts on the first phase of Israel and Hamas's agreement for peace in Gaza.
“It’s a day of celebration... but it’s also a day of grief.” McCain Institute’s John McCain Freedom for Political Prisoners Initiative Distinguished Senior Fellow Amb. Roger Carstens joined NBC News' Meet the Press NOW to discuss the return of the Israeli hostages and their difficult journey to recovery ahead.
On MSNBC's Morning Joe, McCain Institute's Evelyn Farkas discussed the emotional release of Israeli hostages and the work that needs to be done to ensure lasting, durable peace in Gaza.
The McCain Institute hosted a panel at the Athens Democracy Forum,"Betraying Human Rights Defenders: The Impact on Global Security."
McCain Institute’s Laura Thornton spoke on a European Platform for Democratic Elections panel, “Georgia’s 2025 Municipal Elections: A Critical Test for Democracy amid Repression and Isolation.”
“[Russia has] to do very little now in Georgia, because the Georgian Dream government is doing it for them,” McCain Institute's Laura Thornton told the Kyiv Post, warning that the absence of a cohesive U.S. strategy on Georgia leaves limited room to reverse course.
McCain Institute Executive Director Evelyn Farkas joined Bloomberg Balance of Power to discuss possible next steps for Israel and Hamas now that the Israeli hostages are freed.
McCain Institute’s Evelyn Farkas spoke about the Israel-Hamas ceasefire on Arizona Horizon.
McCain Institute's Evelyn Farkas joined CNN's Erin Burnett in studio to share her perspective on claims that the U.S. could resume nuclear testing.
McCain Institute's Laura Thornton joined the Brussels Sprouts podcast to discuss Russia's attempted influence on Moldova's election.
The McCain Institute's Democracy & Human Rights Working Group—a partnership with Freedom House & George W. Bush Presidential Center—hosted a panel to discuss recent polling by the The Vandenberg Coalition and Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation & Institute demonstrating Americans' strong support for U.S. engagement globally.
Two years after the start of the Israel-Hamas War, McCain Institute Executive Director Dr. Evelyn Farkas spoke to Arizona Horizon’s Ted Simons about the ongoing violence and the international effort to end the conflict.
John McCain Freedom for Political Prisoners Initiative Distinguished Senior Fellow Amb. Roger Carstens explained to CBC News how to address the physical and psychological recovery of Israeli captives freed after two years in captivity.
McCain Institute's Evelyn Farkas weighed in on plans to build a Qatari Air Force base in Idaho on CNN's Out Front.
On the Takeout Podcast with CBS' Major Garrett, John McCain Freedom for Political Prisoners Initiative Distinguished Senior Fellow Amb. Roger Carstens spoke about the deeply personal recovery process the newly released Israeli hostages face.
McCain Institute's Evelyn Farkas joined CNN to discuss the possibility of ending Russia's war in Ukraine following meetings between Ukraine's Zelenskyy and the U.S.
McCain Institute Executive Director Dr. Evelyn Farkas spoke to The Hill's Laura Kelly about increasing tensions between the U.S. and Venezuela.
“He had this confidence that comes from knowing that your enemy is back on their heels," said McCain Institute's Evelyn Farkas to the Hill discussing her meeting with Ukraine's President Zelenskyy after his White House visit.
"This is not a European War. This is a global war." In a Military.com article, McCain Institute's Evelyn Farkas emphasized the urgency of the United States providing strong military support for Ukraine.
McCain Institute Senior Director of Global Democracy Programs Laura Thornton discussed expanding democratic ties at Forum 2000 on a panel titled, "U.S.-Europe Relations in Crisis: Reinventing Transatlantic Unity."
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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