December 2024 Newsletter
McCain Institute Hosts Inaugural Washington Forum
The McCain Institute held its inaugural Washington Forum on December 5, 2024, showcasing the McCain Institute’s work and convening government leaders, pro-democracy activists, journalists, human rights defenders, and other thought leaders focused on human rights, democracy, and global security. U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell, Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs Roger Carstens, Venezuelan Opposition Leader and Pro-Democracy Activist Leopoldo Lopez, and Co-Anchor of the PBS News Hour Amna Nawaz were among more than 20 speakers at the event.
McCain Institute Partners With US State Department for the Global Human Rights Defender Award
The eight individuals honored at this year’s ceremony exemplify the unyielding pursuit of freedom, justice, and democracy worldwide. Read more.
McCain Global Leder Jesús Armas Detained in Venezuela
Jesús Armas, a leading Venezuelan opposition leader, was kidnapped and disappeared by the regime of Nicolás Maduro on December 10. The McCain Institute calls for his immediate release. Read more.
McCain Global Leaders from Asia and Oceania Visit Taipei, Taiwan for 2024 Changemaker Tour
The delegation’s five-day trip centered around the theme of defending democracy and followed Senator John McCain’s legacy of visiting Taiwan. Read more.
OP-ED: President-Elect Trump Can Win the Nobel Peace Prize by Ending Global Conflicts
Dr. Evelyn Farkas in The Hill: “Trump could actually win the Nobel Peace Prize... If he could bring the war [in Ukraine] to a just, durable peace.” Read more.
OP-ED: The US and the EU Must Take Action Against the Unconstitutional Georgian Dream Government While Supporting the Georgian People
In The Hill, McCain Institute Senior Director for Global Democracy Programs Laura Thornton argued that the U.S. “cannot abandon the Georgian people.” Read more.
McCain Institute and Vandenberg Coalition Report Outlines Conservative Strategy for Countering Russia
A Conservative Strategy for Countering Russia” contains a series of essays written by leading voices from the conservative foreign policy community. Read more.
Georgia’s Elections: Path from Friendship to Isolation
Laura Thornton: “The government, aided by Kremlin information campaigns, stoked fear, warning of war if voters did not choose Georgian Dream.” Read more.
McCain Institute Co-Hosts “Echoes of Freedom” in Vienna, Austria
The event convened human rights activists, former political prisoners, and more to advocate for the release of currently held political prisoners. Read more.
The McCain Institute Salutes the Courage and Sacrifice of Our Veterans
McCain Institute Executive Director Dr. Evelyn Farkas issued a statement commemorating the 53rd Veterans Day. Read more.
December 2024
Media
A powerful and urgent op-ed by McCain Institute Board Member Jack McCain on saving Georgian democracy.
Dr. Evelyn Farkas joined Griff Jenkins on Fox News to discuss the situation in Syria and the disappearance of McCain Global Leader Jesús Armas.
Leopoldo Lopez at the McCain Institute Washington Forum: “There is only one thing that binds [autocrats] together, and that enemy is democracy.”
A McCain Institute message as we look towards 2025: We will never stop fighting to create a world that is free, safe, and just for all people.
The McCain Institute hosted a strategy session to discuss the future of the U.S. hostage recovery enterprise.
Congratulations to Vladimir Kara-Murza for receiving the John McCain Prize for Leadership in Public Service at the Halifax Security Forum.
On BBC News, Dr. Evelyn Farkas discussed the Biden administration’s decision to allow Ukraine to fire U.S.-made missiles into Russian territory.
NEW VIDEOS: Learn more about the Human Rights Defenders Program and hear directly from McCain Institute HRDs from India, Myanmar, Pakistan, Uganda, and Ukraine.
Remembering Senator McCain’s words on the 75th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor.
Dr. Evelyn Farkas joined Erin Burnett on CNN to discuss the roles other countries are playing in Russia‘s incursion on Ukraine.
Dr. Evelyn Farkas on the Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire and what this means for the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
At the NATO Parliamentary Assembly’s 70th Annual Session in Montreal, McCain Institute’s Laura Thornton advocated for more democracy-focused efforts inside NATO.
Events:
The McCain Institute
Washington Forum
The McCain Institute Washington Forum will convene global leaders, experts, and humanitarians for a daylong forum to identify solutions to the most pressing challenges impacting human and planetary health. The forum theme, “Democracy, Human Rights & Leadership in Action,” will highlight the McCain Institute’s work to counter rising authoritarianism, an erosion of democratic norms, growing violations of human rights, and a lack of principled, character-driven leadership at home and abroad. Inspired by the maverick spirit of Senator John McCain, the forum will place a strong emphasis on harnessing innovation and collaboration to meet these challenges head-on.
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.
Watch the McCain Institute’s Latest Brand Video Featuring the Words of Senator John McCain
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Calling all McCainiacs!
If you were involved with the late Senator, as a member of his legislative staff or as a campaign volunteer, consider becoming a part of the Institute by joining the McCain Alumni Club.
