Challenges to American Dominance
May 1 – May 2, 2026
Challenges to American Dominance
The 2026 Sedona Forum, “Challenges to American Dominance,” examined 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. Speakers explored 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. Discussions also considered 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)
2:00 pm - 2:25 pm
Welcome Remarks
•Rick Davis, Partner, Stonecourt Capital & Chair, Board of Trustees, McCain Institute
•Dr. Evelyn Farkas, Executive Director, McCain Institute
•Senator Mark Kelly, (D-AZ)
2:25 pm - 3:00 pm
Venezuela's Future: Energy, Democracy, and Regional Stability
•Leopoldo López, Co-Founder, World Liberty Congress
•Representative Craig Goldman, (R-TX)Moderator:
Anthony Adragna, Congressional Defense Reporter, Punchbowl News
3:00 pm - 3:05 pm
The Next Chapter in the Fight for Freedom
•Vladimir Kara-Murza, Vice President, Free Russia Foundation
3:05 pm - 3:40 pm
Global Democracy Under Pressure: From Backsliding to Breakthrough?
•Rachel Hoff, Policy Director, Ronald Reagan Institute
•Dr. Daniel Twining, President, International Republican Institute
•Dr. Tamara Wittes, President, National Democratic Institute
Moderator:
Stephanie Sy, Correspondent, PBS News
3:40 pm - 4:15 pm
Partnerships that Deliver: America’s Role in a Food Secure World
Fireside Chat
•Under Secretary Luke J. Lindberg, U.S. Under Secretary of Agriculture for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs
•Julie Borlaug, President, Borlaug Consulting
4:15 pm - 4:20 pm
Concluding Remarks
•Dr. Evelyn Farkas, Executive Director, McCain Institute
6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
The Sedona Forum Leadership Dinner
This portion of the program will not livestreamed.
Opening remarks by Dr. Michael Crow, President, Arizona State University
Presentation of the In The Arena Award
Presentation by Jack McCain and James McCain
Keynote Program:
Keynote Introduction:
•Sally Donnelly, Founding Partner, Pallas Advisors
Keynote:
•General Dagvin R.M. Anderson, Commander, AFRICOM
In Conversation With:
•Mosheh Oinounou, Editor-in-Chief, Mo News
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
8:35 am - 8:40 am
Munich Security Conference McCain Speech Volume Highlight
•Dr. Benedikt Franke, Vice-Chairman & CEO, Munich Security Council
8:40 am - 8:50 am
Welcome Remarks from the Governor of Arizona
•Gov. Katie Hobbs, Arizona
8:50 am - 9:00 am
Saturday at the Sedona Forum Remarks
•James McCain, Captain, U.S. Army
9:00 am - 9:35 am
Standing with Ukraine: Policy, Politics, and War
Virtual remarks by Lt. Gen. Kyrylo Budanov, Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine
•Rep. Don Bacon, (R-NE)
•Dr. Evelyn Farkas, Executive Director, McCain Institute
•Sen. Ruben Gallego, (D-AZ)
•Amb. Kurt Volker, Former Ambassador to NATO
Moderator:
•J.D. Simkins, Editor-in-Chief, Defense News
9:35 am - 9:40 am
Where Sports Meets Global Diplomacy
•Michael Harper, Partner, K&L Gates
9:40 am - 10:10 am
Beyond the Game: Growing America's Reach and Global Engagement Through Sports
•Michael Bidwill, Owner, Arizona Cardinals
•Kathy Behrens, President of Social Responsibility & Player Programs, NBA
•David Lakin, General Counsel, Player 15 Group, Phoenix Suns & Phoenix Mercury
Moderator:
•Ahron Cohen, Founder & CEO, Polar Sun Ventures & Former President, CEO, & Alternate Governor for the Arizona Coyotes
10:33 am - 10:40 am
Japan's Global Moment
•Akie Abe, Chairperson, Foundation for Encouragement of Social Contribution (Tokyo)
10:40 am - 11:15 am
Japan's Strategic Future: Security, Alliances, and Influence
•Rui Matsukawa, Senator, Senate of Japan
•Akihisa Shiozaki, Member of the House of Representatives (LDP), Japan
•Jack McCain, CEO, Blue Sky and Board Member, McCain Institute
Moderator:
•Josh Rogin, Lead Global Security Analyst, Washington Post Intelligence
11:15 am - 11:20 am
Remembering Fred Smith
•Amb. Cindy McCain, Executive Director, World Food Programme
11:20 am - 11:30 am
The Courage Award Presentation - Frederick W. Smith
Remarks from:
•James McCain, Captain U.S. army
•Lela Smith Hooper
11:45 am - 12:45 pm
"A Cause Greater Than" Lunch Discussion - Feeding the Future: Food Aid and Global Stability
Introduction:
•Rick Davis, Partner, Stonecourt Capital & Chair, Board of Trustees, McCain Institute
Panel:
•Amb. Cindy McCain, Executive Director, World Food Programme
•Carl Skau, Deputy Executive Director & Chief Operating Officer, World Food Programme
Moderator:
•Amb. Josette Sheeran, Founder & CEO, Firefly Global Group
1:05 pm - 1:40 pm
Debt, Deficits, and the Future of U.S. Power
•Rep. Stephanie Bice, (R-OK)
•Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, (D-RI)
Moderator:
•Dr. Douglas Holtz-Eakin, President, American Action Forum
1:40 pm - 2:15 pm
Balancing Beijing: The Greatest Challenge to Global Peace
•Rep. Mike Lawler, (R-NY)
•Sen. Peter Welch, (D-VT)
•Chris Johnson, President & CEO, China Strategies Group
Moderator:
•Demetri Sevastopulo, U.S.-China Correspondent, Financial Times
2:15 pm - 2:45 pm
Governing Together in a Divided Era: Finding Common Ground for the Good of America
•Rep. Jason Crow, (D-CO)
•Rep. Craig Goldman, (R-TX)
Moderator:
•John Raidt, Advisor, Jones Group International
3:00 pm - 3:05 pm
The Next Wave of Strategic Technology
•Dr. Lev Gonick, Enterprise Chief Information Officer, Arizona State University
3:05 pm - 3:40 pm
The 21st Century Technological Revolution
•JC Btaiche, Founder & CEO, Fuse Energy
•Rep. Jim Himes, (D-CT), Ranking Member, HPSCI
•Dan Smoot, CEO, Vantor
Moderator:
•Joe Gould, Reporter, NOTUS
3:40 pm - 3:45 pm
Iran: Challenges and Choices
•Jason Rezaian, Director of Press Freedom Initiatives, The Washington Post
3:45 pm - 4:20 pm
Taking Stock of Iran: Dire Straits and New Dynamics
•Sue Gordon, Former Principal Deputy Director of National Intelligence
•Gen. (Ret.) Kenneth F. McKenzie Jr. , Former Commander, U.S. Central Command
•Reid Smith, Vice President of Foreign Policy, Stand Together
Moderator:
•Jon Decker, White House Correspondent & Senior National Editor, Gray TV & Media Fellow, McCain Institute
4:20 pm - 4:50 pm
Trends Shaping the Future of American Politics
•David Axelrod, Founding Director, University of Chicago Institute of Politics & Professor of Practice, ASU
•Rick Davis, Partner, Stonecourt Capital & Chair, Board of Trustees, McCain Institute
Moderator:
•Kelly O'Donnell, Chief Justice and National Affairs Correspondent, NBC News
4:50 pm - 4:55 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.
