September 2025 Newsletter
McCain Institute Expands Global Footprint with Sedona Forum – Tokyo in 2026
The McCain Institute is launching its first-ever Sedona Forum – Tokyo on January 15, 2026, in Tokyo, Japan. This marks the first international expansion of the McCain Institute’s flagship event, the Sedona Forum, which is held annually in Arizona. The one-day event, “The U.S.-Japan Alliance – Advancing Freedom, Innovation and Security in Asia and Beyond,” will feature a series of thought-provoking panels and interactive discussions focused on emerging security challenges and strategic competition in Asia.
September Highlights
McCain Institute Named Official Partner for Athens Democracy Forum
The McCain Institute is an official partner of the Athens Democracy Forum. Learn about our panel “Betraying Human Rights Defenders: The Impact on Global Security,” featuring three human rights defenders and moderated by McCain Institute's Amb. Cindy Dyer. Read more.
McCain Institute Launches American Democracy & Technology Policy Translation Fellowship
Applications are now open for the McCain Institute’s American Democracy & Technology Fellowship. This one-year fellowship seeks U.S.-based professionals looking to transform democracy and technology in America. Read more.
McCain Institute, The German Marshall Fund, and European Council on Foreign Relations Host Pre-Election Delegation to Moldova
The McCain Institute, The German Marshall Fund of the United States, and European Council on Foreign Relations visited Moldova to learn how the country worked to counter Russian political influence ahead of its September 28, 2025, election. Read more.
2025 McCain Global Leaders Fellowship Commences with Leadership Discussions with Lawmakers, Humanitarians, and Journalists
Candid conversations with top U.S. journalists, lawmakers, and changemakers, and a look at the global democracy landscape prepared the McCain Global Leaders to take on challenges related to democracy and human rights in their own home countries. Read more.
McCain Institute National Security & Counterterrorism Fellows Assess Five Eyes Security Priorities in Australia and New Zealand
The McCain Institute’s 2025 National Security & Counterterrorism Fellowship cohort concluded its module in Australia and New Zealand. Learn how the fellows enhanced their understanding of the Five Eyes’ security priorities, thanks in part to the Australian National University’s National Security College. Read more.
ICYMI: McCain Institute’s Laura Thornton in Foreign Policy: “Russia Isn’t ‘Influencing’ Moldova’s Election”
ICYMI: In a Foreign Policy op-ed, McCain Institute Senior Director of Global Democracy Programs Laura Thornton warns that Russia’s “multi-vector war” of influence in Moldova's parliamentary election poses a threat to democracy around the world. Read more.
John McCain Freedom for Political Prisoners Initiative Applauds Executive Order Targeting State Sponsors of Wrongful Detention
The McCain Institute commends the landmark executive order formally recognizing and penalizing states that engage in wrongful detention of U.S. citizens as a means of political leverage. Read more.
McCain Institute Releases Analysis Ahead of Moldovan Parliamentary Election
McCain Institute Senior Director for Global Democracy Programs Laura Thornton assesses the Kremlin's election interference campaigns in Moldova ahead of the nation's September 28 parliamentary election. Read more.
The McCain Institute Stands Behind German Ambassador to Georgia Peter Fischer
The McCain Institute stands behind the German Ambassador to Georgia Peter Fischer and condemns the Georgian Dream regime’s continued anti-democratic campaigns. Read more.
ICYMI: McCain Institute’s Jennifer Lundy in DC Journal: “Why Moldova’s Struggle Against Russian Influence Matters for America”
ICYMI: In her DC Journal op-ed, McCain Institute Executive Affairs Manager Jennifer Lundy writes that Russia is using Moldova’s parliamentary elections as a testing ground for its most sophisticated interference tactics—aimed at derailing Moldova’s democracy and expanding its influence in the region. 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.
September Media
McCain Institute Executive Director Dr. Evelyn Farkas joined Bloomberg's Balance of Power in studio to discuss the latest in foreign policy news
McCain Institute Chief Program Officer Amb. Cindy Dyer spoke on a Carnegie Council panel examining morality and power in a rapidly changing geopolitical environment.
McCain Institute's Nicholas Rasmussen joined the Australian National University's National Security College podcast to discuss how the terrorism threat landscape evolved since September 11, 2001.
On CNN News Central, McCain Institute Executive Director Dr. Evelyn Farkas spoke to Sara Sidner about Ukraine's strategy, United States involvement, and the mounting financial and political pressure facing Russia to end their aggression on Ukraine.
“We need to start treating this as the warfare that it is,” said McCain Institute's Laura Thornton on the Power Vertical podcast. “Russia’s disinformation campaign in Moldova’s election wasn’t just noise—it was strategy.”
McCain Institute Senior Director of Global Democracy Programs Laura Thornton spoke to CNN’s Clare Sebastian about Russia's efforts to influence Moldova's election.
McCain Institute's Evelyn Farkas joined Ryan Nobles on NBC’s Meet the Press NOW to discuss the possibility of increased U.S. support for Ukraine against Russian aggression.
McCain Institute Executive Director Dr. Evelyn Farkas weighed in on the recent remarks from U.S. leadership regarding Russia's aggression on Ukraine in this recent article in NBC News.
McCain Institute Executive Director Dr. Evelyn Farkas told The Associated Press the United States “played a constructive role” in conflict resolution following administration claims of ending seven wars.
“Deterrence is making Russians understand the price is too high if they do continue these incursions,” said McCain Institute's Dr. Evelyn Farkas on BBC News after reports of Russia's incursion on Estonian airspace.
McCain Institute Executive Director Dr. Evelyn N. Farkas said on Bloomberg TV's Balance of Power that while the new White House-proposed Gaza peace plan differs from earlier proposals, getting both sides to agree and ensure implementation remains “incredibly difficult.”
McCain Institute Senior Director of Global Democracy Programs Laura Thornton joined BBC News America, and spoke about the recent victory of Moldova’s pro-EU party.
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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