The McCain Institute at Arizona State University (ASU) gathered its 2026 National Security & Counterterrorism (NSCT) Fellows in Washington, D.C. to start this year’s fellowship. The 2026 cohort of NSCT fellows consists of 17 rising leaders who hail from a wide array of different agencies, departments, and organizations from the countries that comprise the Five Eyes (FVEY) intelligence alliance.
The weeklong trip brings the cohort face-to-face with senior leaders from national security including Senator Elissa Slotkin, former Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas, Former Deputy White House Chief of Staff Kristie Canegallo, Former Director of the National Counterterrorism Center Christine Abizaid, former Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations and Low Intensity Conflict Chris Maier, and Former Acting Director of the NCTC Russ Travers. The cohort visited the CIA for detailed conversations with senior officers directly engaged in counterterrorism work.
“National security leaders in Five Eyes capitals are coping with a threat landscape that feels more complex, dynamic and challenging than ever,” said Nicholas Rasmussen, founder of the McCain Institute’s NSCT Fellowship and former director of the U.S. National Counterterrorism Center (NCTC). “Our NSCT Fellows engaged in serious discussions with a wide range of senior leaders charged with managing that environment and will undoubtedly take advantage of what they heard and learned as they tackle challenges back home.”
Fellows also met with non-government officials to gain their perspective on current national security challenges, including The Atlantic Staff Writer Shane Harris, Georgetown Professor Jacob Ware, American Enterprise Institute Senior Fellow Dr. Zachary Cooper, Former Chief Spokesperson for the Central Intelligence Agency Tammy Thorp, and attended an event at Georgetown University Library featuring ASU Center for Intelligence and National Security Director, author, and CNN correspondent Peter Bergen. The cohort also laid a wreath at the tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery in honor of Senator John McCain.
“The McCain fellowship’s Washington D.C. leg offered us unparalleled access to senior counterterrorism officials in the United States, both past and present. We left invigorated and inspired, ready to continue the fight in our own communities, and excited for the Australia and United Kingdom modules,” said United States Fellow Jacob Ware.
This is the program’s sixth cohort since the program’s inception in 2019. The fellows will next convene for a week of programming in Canberra and Wellington in late summer, and in London in early winter.
Learn more about the McCain Institute National Security & Counterterrorism Fellowship HERE.