WASHINGTON, DC (July 13, 2021) The McCain Institute for International Leadership at Arizona State University (ASU) will feature Deputy Director of the Program on Extremism at George Washington University Seamus Hughes in its next installment of the Authors & Insights Book Talk Series.
On Wednesday, July 21, Hughes will join the McCain Institute’s Senior Director for the Preventing Targeted Violence Program Brette Steele to discuss Hughes’ book, “Homegrown: ISIS in America.” The work draws on first-hand interviews with former American Islamic State members and law enforcement officials who tracked them, and revealing how and why ISIS was able to radicalize and recruit a new generation of jihadist sympathizers in America.
“Seamus Hughes’ important book is a one-of-a-kind look at modern radicalization,” said McCain Institute Executive Chairman Ambassador Josette Sheeran. “We are excited to welcome him to our Authors & Insights series for an engaging and in-depth conversation between two experts.”
“In a time where we are confronting violent extremism from a number of ideologies, ‘Homegrown’ is an excellent resource to dig deep into the phenomenon of homegrown violent extremism,” said Brette Steele, McCain Institute senior director for the preventing targeted violence program.
Hughes is the deputy director of the program on extremism at George Washington University. He is an expert on terrorism, homegrown violent extremism and countering violent extremism (CVE). Hughes has authored numerous reports for the Program including “ISIS in America: From Retweets to Raqqa” and “The Travelers: American Jihadists in Syria and Iraq.” He regularly provides commentary to media outlets, including The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, Los Angeles Times, The Atlantic, CNN, MSNBC, FoxNews, BBC, PBS and CBS’ 60 Minutes. He has testified before the U.S. Congress on multiple occasions. Hughes previously worked at the National Counterterrorism Center (NCTC), serving as a lead staffer on U.S. government efforts to implement a national CVE strategy.
Steele serves as the senior director for preventing targeted violence at the McCain Institute for International Leadership. In this capacity, she provides strategic leadership and operational management for the Institute’s program to prevent all forms of targeted violence, terrorism and their impacts in the United States and around the world. With her extensive experience working in the prevention and intervention space, Steele serves as a resource to the community of experts identifying opportunities to partner with external organizations in order to increase the efficacy of locally based prevention frameworks and programs. Additionally, Steele serves as the chair for the board of Life After Hate. Prior to joining the McCain Institute, Steele served as the regional director of strategic engagement for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Office of Terrorism Prevention Partnerships. In that role she advised the State of California in the development of a statewide preventing violent extremism strategy and partnered with counties, cities, and nonprofit organizations to develop and implement preventing violent extremism programs.
The McCain Institute invites all to join the Authors & Insights Book Talk Series: Seamus Hughes & Brette Steele on Wednesday, July 21, at 12 p.m. ET. More information, including the link to register, can be found on the McCain Institute Events page. Viewers will have a chance to ask Hughes questions about his book, career and current events. Two lucky attendees will receive copies of “Homegrown: ISIS in America.”
About the McCain Institute for International Leadership at Arizona State University
Inspired by the character-driven leadership of Sen. John S. McCain and his family’s legacy of public service, the McCain Institute implements programs and initiatives to make a difference in people’s lives across a range of critical areas: leadership development, human rights, rule of law, national security, preventing targeted violence and combating human trafficking.
About Arizona State University
Arizona State University has developed a new model for the American research university, creating an institution that is committed to access, excellence and impact. ASU measures itself by those it includes, not by those it excludes. As the prototype for a New American University, ASU pursues research that contributes to the public good, and ASU assumes major responsibility for the economic, social and cultural vitality of the communities that surround it.
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