WASHINGTON, D.C. – The McCain Institute at Arizona State University recently led members of its National Security & Counterterrorism (NSCT) Fellowship to the United Kingdom for their third and final stop visiting the Five Eyes capitals to meet with government leaders and civil society experts in national security.
The seven-day tour, from December 3-9, included 15 fellows from the 2023 cohort who represent four of the Five Eyes partner nations: the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand.
The fellows participated in meetings with government leaders and civil society experts in London, including Chloe Squires, director general of security at the Home Office, leaders and analysts at MI5 and MI6; Chris Rampling, director of national security at the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office; Paddy McGuinness, former deputy national security advisor, and Washington Post journalist Greg Miller. The group also traveled to Belfast for a day to tour the city and contextualize the security situation in Northern Ireland.
“The cross-disciplinary conversations were great,” said Australian NSCT Fellow Louise Maguire. “I am never sorry to learn about the perspectives and functions of other organizations. Seeing what other people do, even in the private sector, helps me think more critically about my own career and next steps.”
“I have formed distinct personal relationships with each member of the 2023 cohort,” said U.S. NSCT Fellow Mike Friel. “I am so fortunate to now have so many new friends and mentors in London, Canberra, and Wellington. The fellowship has added immeasurably to my network, and I look forward to interacting with members of my cohort as we each continue to grow as future leaders and people.”
As part of the McCain Institute’s mission to advance democracy, human dignity, and security, the National Security & Counterterrorism Fellowship creates an enduring international network of national security decision-makers by linking fellows with peers and colleagues across the Five Eyes partner nations. After three week-long modules and trips to Washington, D.C. in March and Canberra and Sydney, Australia in September, the 2023 NSCT Fellows have accomplished the program goal of building friendships across Five Eyes government agencies.
“The week in London was the culmination of a fantastic year for our 2023 cohort of NSCT Fellows,” said Rachel Hunkler, McCain Institute senior program manager for preventing targeted violence. “These fellows are dedicated public servants and the rising character-driven leaders among their respective national security establishments. The enduring bonds they’ve formed with each other will no doubt enhance cooperation across the Five Eyes intelligence partnership and keep us all more safe and secure.”
With the completion of this module, the 2023 fellows join an alumni network that now has 41 members across the Five Eyes nations.
Learn more about the National Security & Counterterrorism Fellowship here.
All statements by 2023 fellowship members reflect their own opinions and not those of their home agencies.