Strategic Competition

For the first time, the 2022 Sedona Forum took place both virtually and in-person, giving friends of the McCain Institute a front-row seat to conversations about the world’s most pressing issues from high-level panels featuring top experts and policymakers from around the world and on both sides of the aisle.

With the theme “Strategic Competition,” the Sedona Forum 2022 focused strongly on Russia’s assault on Ukraine, as well as China’s version of democracy and approach to human rights.

The Washington Post served as the Forum’s media partner.

12:00 pm - 12:30 pm
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American Leadership at Home and Abroad

At the 2022 Sedona Forum, Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY) joins CBS News Chief Washington Correspondent Major Garrett to talk about the shifting role of Congress in promoting democracy and American leadership abroad.

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major-garrett-2016 Major Garrett Sen. Mitch McConnell
12:30 pm - 1:10 pm
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The Changing World Order and How to Navigate Times Ahead

At the 2022 Sedona Forum, Ray Dalio, Chairman of Bridgewater Associates joins Mi-Ai Parrish, Sue Clark-Johnson Professor for Media Innovation and Leadership for a discussion about how to prepare for what is next in an uncertain and shifting world order.

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mi-ah Mi-Ai Parrish dalio Ray Dalio
1:10 pm - 2:00 pm
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Exploring the Impact of the U.S. Pullout of Afghanistan on Human Rights and the Future of Democracy Promotion

At the 2022 Sedona Forum, Chairman of the Senate Relations Committee Senator Bob Menendez (D-NJ) joins former U.S. Ambassador to the Sultanate of Oman Greta Holtz and former Afghan Ambassador to the United States Roya Rahmani for a panel discussion on the future of U.S. efforts to promote democracy and human rights abroad after last year’s withdrawal from Afghanistan. McCain Institute Senior Director for Human Rights and Democracy Programs Paul Fagan moderates the discussion.

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roya Amb. Roya Rahmani paul Paul Fagan holtz Amb. Greta Holtz Sed-_0069_Bob-Menendez Sen. Bob Menendez
2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
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The Intersection of Migration and Human Trafficking

At the 2022 Sedona Forum, Neha Misra of The Solidarity Center, Tim Roemer, Director of the Arizona Department of Homeland Security and Jessica Caplin, a Protection Officer with the UN Refugee Agency currently working with Ukrainian migrants, discuss the intersection of migration and all forms of human trafficking. McCain Institute Senior Director for Combatting Human Trafficking Programs Kristen Abrams leads the discussion.

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jessica Jessica Caplin Sed-_0007_Tim-Roemer Tim Roemer Sed-_0023_Neha-Misra Neha Misra sed-abrams Kristen Leanderson Abrams
3:00 pm - 3:50 pm
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Navigating Critical Humanitarian Work in a Changing World

At the 2022 Sedona Forum, President of the Rockefeller Foundation Raj Shah joins Nick Thompson, CEO of The Atlantic to talk about the changing role and scope of NGO work in a more uncertain world.

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raj Raj Shah sed-nick Nick Thompson
3:50 pm - 4:40 pm
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McCain Global Leaders on the Frontlines: Local Leaders Fighting Global Crises

At the 2022 Sedona Forum, McCain Global Leaders Advisory Council Member Michelle Bekkering join McCain Global Leaders Nino Dolidze of Georgia and Tomas Martinaitis of Lithuania to discuss their frontline roles in organizing grassroots efforts, public policy, digital tools, and more as they work to provide stability in their home countries and globally. Gray TV White House Correspondent and McCain Institute Media Fellow Jon Decker moderates.

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jon Jon Decker nino Nino Dolidze tomas Tomas Martinaitis bekkering Michelle Bekkering
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2:45 pm - 2:55 pm
AZ

Welcome

Sed-_0017_Rick-Davis Rick Davis Sed-_0033_Mark-Kelly Sen. Mark Kelly
2:55 pm - 3:00 pm
AZ

Theme Setting

Sed-_0039_Julie-Bishop Julie Bishop
3:00 pm - 3:45 pm
AZ

China’s Ukraine Problem: The West’s Diplomatic Unity

Sed-_0008_Sunny-Cheung Sunny Cheung Sed-_0049_Harry-Harris Admiral Harry Harris Screen-Shot-2021-04-23-at-5.03.55-PM-1 Sen. Amy Klobuchar sed-twining Dr. Dan Twining
4:15 pm - 4:45 pm
AZ

Forced Labor and Global Supply Chains

Sed-_0068_Catherine-Chen Catherine Chen Sed-_0037_Katherine-Tai Amb. Katherine Tai Sed-_0012_Sophie-Otiende Sophie Otiende
4:45 pm - 5:15 pm
AZ

The FBI’s Role in Defending American Democracy: Innovating with Intelligence and Leading in Law Enforcement

Sed-_0065_Christopher-Costa Col. Chris Costa Sed-_0064_Christopher-Wray Christopher Wray
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8:35 am - 8:40 am
AZ

Opening by Rick Davis and Amb. Cindy McCain

Sed-_0017_Rick-Davis Rick Davis Sed-_0063_CindyMcCain Amb. Cindy McCain
8:40 am - 8:45 am
AZ

A Message From The McCain Institute's New Executive Director, Evelyn Farkas

farkas Evelyn Farkas
8:45 am - 9:15 am
AZ

Virtual Conversation with President Poroshenko

poroshenko Pres. Petro Poroshenko Sed-_0077_Adam-Kinzinger Rep. Adam Kinzinger
9:15 am - 10:00 am
AZ

Protecting U.S. Democracy’s Elections Systems and Infrastructure Against Cyber Attacks

Sed-_0030_Michael-Crow Dr. Michael M. Crow Sed-_0009_Sue-Halpern Sue Halpern Sed-_0075_Alberto-Ibarguen Alberto Ibargüen Sed-_0077_Adam-Kinzinger Rep. Adam Kinzinger Sed-_0010_Sue-Gordon Sue Gordon
10:00 am - 10:45 am
AZ

Space: The Final Frontier

Sed-_0005_Victor-Glover Victor Glover christian_davenport Christian Davenport Sed-_0038_Kari-Bingen Kari A. Bingen Sed-_0033_Mark-Kelly Sen. Mark Kelly Sed-_0029_Mike-Waltz Rep. Mike Waltz
11:15 am - 11:45 am
AZ

Carbon Border Adjustments

Sed-_0025_Mohammed-Chahim Dr. Mohammed Chahim Sed-_0070_Bill-Cassidy Sen. Bill Cassidy Sed-_0013_Sheldon-Whitehouse Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse
11:45 am - 12:15 pm
AZ

Security Challenges in a Contemporary Environment

Sed-_0018_Richard-Fontaine Richard Fontaine Sed-_0019_Richard-Clarke Gen. Richard Clarke Sed-_0047_Jack-McCain Jack McCain
12:30 pm - 1:15 pm
AZ

“A Cause Greater Than” Discussion: Forced Migration and Food Security

Sed-_0036_Lindsey-Graham Sen. Lindsey Graham Sed-_0024_Nate-Mook Nate Mook Sed-_0063_CindyMcCain Amb. Cindy McCain sed-josette Amb. Josette Sheeran
1:30 pm - 2:00 pm
AZ

One on One Conversation with Dr. Mark Esper

mackay Peter MacKay Sed-_0034_Mark-Esper Dr. Mark Esper
2:00 pm - 2:40 pm
AZ

National Security Strategy in an Era of the Russia/China Axis

Christine Abizaid Christine Abizaid Sed-_0062_Dan-Sullivan Sen. Dan Sullivan Sed-_0076_Adam-Smith Rep. Adam Smith Sed-_0055_Douglas-Lute Amb. Douglas Lute
2:40 pm - 3:20 pm
AZ

The Putin Paradox: Pariah or President?

Sed-_0072_Arvydas-Anusaukas Arvydas Anušauskas Sed-_0059_David-Kramer David Kramer Sed-_0040_Josh-Rogin Josh Rogin Sed-_0054_Elisa-Massimino Elisa Massimino Sed-_0006_Tom-Malinowski Rep. Tom Malinowski
3:20 pm - 4:00 pm
AZ

National Security and the Impact of Technology

Sed-_0042_Ernst-headshot Sen. Joni Ernst Sed-_0015_Roy-Blunt Sen. Roy Blunt Sed-_0014_Shane-Harris Shane Harris Sed-_0053_Elissa-Slotkin Rep. Elissa Slotkin Sed-_0022_Nicholas-Rasmussen Nicholas Rasmussen
4:00 pm - 4:45 pm
AZ

Mid-Term Mania

Sed-_0050_Hannah-Vaughan-Jones Hannah Vaughn Jones Sed-_0017_Rick-Davis Rick Davis Sed-_0060_David-Axelrod David Axelrod Sed-_0048_Heidi-Heitkamp Sen. Heidi Heitkamp

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 at the Enchantment Resort 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.
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