September 2024 Newsletter
Report Release: “Defending American Democracy in the Digital Age”
The McCain Institute and the Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication at ASU launched a new report and hosted an event to culminate more than two years of work by a McCain Institute and Cronkite School-led task force on Defeating Disinformation Attacks on U.S. Democracy. The report examines growing threats posed by disinformation campaigns targeting American democratic values and institutions and proposes actionable solutions. This was the first of a series of U.S. democracy-focused events to be hosted by the McCain Institute this fall.
In The Hill: Laura Thornton on the Decision Facing Voters
in Georgia
With Georgian voters heading to the polls in October, Thornton lays out their choice between democracy and a Belarus-style autocracy. Read more(Open Link in new window)
Human Rights & Freedom Program Adds Five New Members to its Advisory Council
The new members will help the program further its mission of protecting and advancing fundamental rights and freedom around the world. Read more(Open Link in new window)
In National Review: “A Conservative Human Rights Agenda” by Corban Teague
In a new op-ed, Teague and co-author Elliott Abrams argue that U.S. foreign policy should embrace a Reagan-style approach to human rights policy. Read more(Open Link in new window)
An Assessment Ahead of Georgian Parliamentary Election by Laura Thornton
Thornton outlines seven actions U.S. and European Union policymakers should take ahead of the Georgian election. Read more(Open Link in new window)
Pedro Pizano on What Kara-Murza’s Freedom Means and Why it Will Make a Difference
Pizano takes us inside the once-in-a-generation negotiations that led to the release of Vladimir Kara-Murza. Read more(Open Link in new window)
National Security & Counterterrorism Fellows Visit Australia and New Zealand
The cohort discussed Australian security priorities and met with top-level New Zealand security officials. Read more(Open Link in new window)
September 2024
Media
On CNN’s The Source,(Open Link in new window) Dr. Evelyn Farkas discussed the Israeli strike on Lebanon and their strategy to pressure Hezbollah.
In National Review:(Open Link in new window) McCain Institute’s Corban Teague on why U.S. foreign policy should embrace a conservative approach to human rights policy.
Dr. Evelyn Farkas joined Bloomberg TV(Open Link in new window) to examine the state of the war in Ukraine and compare the U.S. presidential candidates’ positions on foreign wars.
McCain Global Leader Dael Dervishi on the rise of populism(Open Link in new window) and what it means for the future of democratic governance.
McCain Institute’s Pedro Pizano spoke with Voice of America(Open Link in new window) about being included in Russia’s sanctioned list. “It’s a badge of honor.”
“I’m deeply concerned,” McCain Institute’s Laura Thornton told Voice of America(Open Link in new window) following the Georgian prime minister’s promise to eliminate opposition parties.
Our NSCT Fellows ended their time in Canberra with a visit to Australia’s Parliament building(Open Link in new window) for discussions on Parliament’s oversight duties and national security obligations.
McCain Global Leaders Annabel Deegan(Open Link in new window) and Yurii Stechyshyn(Open Link in new window) shared their top takeaways from the 2024 Tbilisi International Conference.
On BBC News, Dr. Evelyn Farkas(Open Link in new window) discussed Russia’s deadly strike on a Ukrainian military academy in Poltava.
Inside the Tbilisi International Conference 2024: A Pivitol Year,(Open Link in new window) co-hosted by the McCain Institute, the Economic Policy Research Center, and The Bush Center.
Dr. Evelyn Farkas told POLITICO(Open Link in new window) what she would have asked Vice President Harris during the presidential debate.
On Meet the Press NOW(Open Link in new window) and Balance of Power,(Open Link in new window) Dr. Evelyn Farkas analyzed the presidential debate conversation on the war in Ukraine.
See The Latest from The McCain Institute:
Events:
Save the Date: 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 in democracy, human rights, and leadership in a changing world. The forum will highlight the rise of authoritarianism, an erosion of democratic norms, growing violations of human rights, and a lack of principled, character-driven leadership at home and abroad. With the maverick spirit of Senator John McCain, the forum will place a strong emphasis on harnessing innovation and collaboration to meet these challenges related to humanity and planetary health head-on. The inaugural McCain Institute Washington Forum on Dec. 5 will showcase the McCain Institute’s programmatic work with the theme “Democracy, Human Rights, & Leadership in Action.”
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