Challenges to American Dominance
May 1 – May 2, 2026
Challenges to American Dominance
The theme for the 2026 Sedona Forum, “Challenges to American Dominance,” will examine the dynamics and threats reshaping America’s position in the world, from a mounting debt crisis and intense great-power competition with China and its authoritarian partners to the urgent need for bipartisanship at home. We will explore how allies are assuming greater security and economic responsibility in the context of ongoing conflicts with Iran and Russia, as well as in the Western Hemisphere. We will also consider how technology, education, and unexpected avenues of diplomacy can sharpen America’s competitive edge, and how service over self is an enduring component of American leadership and values.
Agenda to be announced
All panel times are listed in Arizona time (MST)
2:40 pm - 2:50 pm
Welcome Remarks
• Dr. Evelyn Farkas, Executive Director, McCain Institute
• Dr. Michael Crow, President, Arizona State University
VIEW REPLAY
2:50 pm - 3:05 pm
A View from Arizona
• Rick Davis, Partner, Stonecourt Capital & Chairman, Board of Trustees, McCain Institute
• Gov. Katie Hobbs, Arizona’s 24th Governor
• Scott Jablow, Mayor, Sedona
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3:05 pm - 3:45 pm
Stirring Up Change in Africa and the Middle East
• Anaïse Kanimba, Human Rights Defender, World Liberty Congress
• Roya Mahboob, CEO, Afghan Citadel Software Company
Moderator:
Elisa Massimino, Executive Director, Human Rights Institute, Georgetown University Law Center
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3:45 pm - 4:30 pm
Democracy Under Pressure
• Amb. David Pressman, Former United States Ambassador to Hungary
• Dr. Dan Twining, President, International Republican Institute
• Damon Wilson, President & CEO, National Endownment for Democracy
Moderator:
Ishaan Tharoor, Foreign Affairs Columnist, The Washington Post
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4:30 pm - 5:00 pm
American Power at Home and Abroad
• Sen. James Lankford, United States Senator, Oklahoma
In Conversation with:
• Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, Former United States Senator, Arizona
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5:00 pm - 5:15 pm
Concluding Remarks
• Doug Ducey, Former Governor, Arizona
7:00 pm - 8:45 pm
The Sedona Forum Leadership Dinner
This portion of the program will not livestreamed.
Welcome remarks by Dr. Evelyn Farkas, Executive Director, McCain Institute
Tribute video to Dikembe Mutombo
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Presentation of the In The Arena Award
Presentation by Jack McCain, CEO, Blue Sky
• Michael Bidwill, Principal Owner, Arizona Cardinals
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Keynote Program:
• Adm. Samuel Paparo, Commander, U.S. Indo-Pacific Command
In Conversation With:
• Demetri Sevastopulo, U.S.-China Correspondent, Financial Times
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Conclusion:
• Rick Davis, Partner, Stonecourt Capital & Chair, Board of Trustees, McCain Institute
8:30 am - 8:35 am
Opening Remarks
• Dr. Evelyn Farkas, Executive Director, McCain Institute
• Rick Davis, Partner, Stonecourt Capital & Chair, Board of Trustees, McCain Institute
8:35 am - 8:50 am
Presentation of the Courage & Leadership Award
Presentation by Jimmy McCain, Director of Government Affairs, Hensley Beverage
• María Corina Machado, Leader of the Venezuelan Democratic Movement
• Ana Corina Sosa Machado, Chief of Staff to the President, Celonis
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8:50 am - 9:30 am
Eastern Frontlines: Russia, Ukraine, and the New World Order
• Rep. Jason Crow, United States Congressman, Colorado’s 6th District
• Sen. Amy Klobuchar, United States Senator, Minnesota
• Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, National Leader, Republic of Belarus
Moderator:
• Dr. Evelyn Farkas, Executive Director, McCain Institute
VIEW REPLAY
9:30 am - 10:10 am
Signal in the Noise: Cybersecurity, Intelligence, and Data
• Sue Gordon, Former Principal Deputy Director of National Intelligence
• Sen. Mark Kelly, United States Senator, Arizona
• Frances Fragos Townsend, Former Counterterrorism & Homeland Security Advisor
Moderator:
• Shane Harris, Staff Writer, The Atlantic
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10:25 am - 11:05 am
The New Industrial Stack: AI, Chips, and Energy as Strategic Assets
• Jeff Guldner, Former Chairman & CEO, Pinnacle West Capital Corp.
• Sec. Gina Raimondo, Former Secretary of Commerce, Former Governor of Rhode Island & Distinguished Fellow, Council on Foreign Relations
• Ryan Tseng, Co-Founder, Shield AI
Moderator:
• Lev Gonick, Chief Information Officer, Enterprise Technology, Arizona State University
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11:05 am - 11:45 am
American Economic Leadership
• Sen. Cynthia Lummis, United States Senator, Wyoming
• Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, Former United States Senator, Arizona
Moderator:
• Eliza Collins, Reporter, The Wall Street Journal
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12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
“A Cause Greater Than” Lunch Discussion
Remarks and Introduction by Meghan Latcovich, Chief of Staff, World Food Programme
• Amb. Cindy McCain, Executive Director, World Food Programme
In Conversation With:
• Kelly O’Donnell, Senior White House Correspondent, NBC News
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1:15 pm - 1:55 pm
Powering Partnerships: The Geopolitics of Trade and Energy
• Sen. Ruben Gallego, United States Senator, Arizona
• Rep. Craig Goldman, United States Congressman, Texas’ 12th District
• Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, United States Senator, Rhode Island
Moderator:
• Jon Decker, White House Correspondent & Senior National Editor, Gray TV & McCain Institute Media Fellow
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1:55 pm - 2:35 pm
The Great Wall of Influence: A Look Into China
Introduction by Elbegdorj Tsakhia, Former President & Prime Minister, Mongolia
• Liz Economy, Hargrove Senior Fellow & Co-Chair of the Program on U.S., China, and the World, The Hoover Institution, Stanford University
• Chris Johnson, President & CEO, China Strategies Group
• Andrew Shearer, Director-General of National Intelligence, Office of National Intelligence, Australia
Moderator:
• Josh Rogin, Lead Global Security Analyst, Washington Post Intelligence
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2:50 pm - 3:30 pm
Muscle Memory: Military Power in the Middle East
• Gen. Frank McKenzie, Executive Director, Global & National Security Institute, University of South Florida
• Rep. Seth Moulton, United States Congressman, Massachusetts’ 6th District
Moderator:
• Courtney Kube, Correspondent, NBC News
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3:30 pm - 4:15 pm
Freedom on Trial
• Amb. Roger D. Carstens, John McCain Freedom for Political Prisoners Distinguished Senior Fellow, McCain Institute
• Vladimir Kara-Murza, Vice President, Free Russia Foundation
• Alsu Kurmasheva, Russian & American Journalist, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty
Moderator:
• Maribel Pérez Wadsworth, CEO, Knight Foundation
VIEW REPLAY
4:15 pm - 5:00 pm
Politics as Usual or Politics Unusual?
• David Axelrod, Chief Political Analyst, CNN & Professor of Practice, Arizona State University
• Rick Davis, Partner, Stonecourt Capital & Chair, Board of Trustees, McCain Institute
Moderator:
• Major Garrett, Chief Washington Correspondent, CBS News
VIEW REPLAY
5:00 pm - 5:05 pm
Closing Remarks
• Dr. Evelyn Farkas, Executive Director, McCain Institute
Thoughtful Leaders. Decision Makers. Activists and Experts.
The Sedona Forum is the McCain Institute’s annual, high-level gathering of national and international leaders held each spring in the red rock country of Sedona, Arizona. Starting from the assumption of character-driven leadership and core democratic values, The Sedona Forum convenes thought-leaders, decision makers, activists and diverse experts to discuss approaches and solutions to real-world problems.
