In the Arena

In recent months, the Biden Administration has sustained and deepened the U.S. relationship with its most important ally in the Hemisphere, the Republic of Colombia. Just last month, Secretary Blinken chose Colombia as his first trip to South America as Secretary of State. To further the conversation on this issue, the McCain Institute seeks to convene experts to discuss related to the United States’ hemispheric security partnerships and how they address some of the most pressing challenges of our time – a rising China, increasing international authoritarianism, the global plague of disinformation, etc.

This event is the fourth of a new public conversation series between Dr. Mark T. Esper, the John McCain Distinguished Fellow and former U.S. Secretary of Defense, and experts on various issues related to challenges and threats to U.S. national security.

Head of The Philanthropy Centre, Asia for J.P. Morgan Private Bank and McCain Global Leader Program Advisory Council Member Jean Sung joins McCain Global Leader Program Manager Scott Nemeth for a discussion about fostering future leaders around the world.

This Authors & Insights event features Council on Foreign Relations Distinguished Fellow Martin Indyk and Foreign Policy columnist Elise Labott. They discuss Indyk’s new book “Master of the Game: Henry Kissinger and the Art of Middle East Diplomacy,” a look at how America’s foremost statesman reshaped America’s foreign policy for generations to come.

National Engagement Director for the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition and a member of the McCain Global Leader Program Advisory Council Michelle Bekkering joins McCain Global Leader Program Manager Scott Nemeth for a discussion about the launch of the new McCain Institute program, and her own personal leadership journey.

McCain Institute Next Generation Leader and member of the McCain Global Leader Program Alumni Advisory Council Zaw Tu Hkawng joins McCain Global Leader Program Manager Scott Nemeth for a discussion about the launch of the new McCain Institute program, and his experience fighting for democracy in his home country of Myanmar.

Former Australian Minister of Defense and current Minister of Government Services and the National Disability Insurance Scheme Linda Reynolds joined former U.S. Secretary of Defense and current John S. McCain Distinguished Fellow Mark Esper for the third installment of Conversations with Secretary Esper. Their discussion centered around the America and Australia’s efforts in the Indo-Pacific and the future of the region. The topics included the recent AUKUS Agreement, President Biden and Prime Minister Morrison’s first meeting, and the legacy of Senator McCain and his family both in Australia and the wider region.

Senior Program Manager at the National Democratic Institute and a member of the McCain Global Leader Program Advisory Council Victoria Welborn joins McCain Global Leader Program Manager Scott Nemeth for a discussion about the launch of the new McCain Institute program, and why it is more important than ever to develop and train the next generation of character-driven leaders.

Join the McCain Institute for International Leadership for its next installment of its book talk virtual series. This event features President George H.W. Bush’s Chief of Staff Jean Becker and White House Correspondent for Gray Television and McCain Institute Media Fellow Jon Decker. . They discuss Becker’s newest book, “The Man I Knew: The Amazing Story George H.W. Bush’s Post-Presidency,” a vibrant behind-the-scenes look into the ups and downs of heading up the office of a former president by one of the people who knew him best.

Deputy Director of the Program on Extremism at George Washington University Seamus Hughes joined McCain Institute Senior Director of the Preventing Targeted Violence Program Brette Steele for a conversation about his book “Homegrown: ISIS in America.” This was a unique discussion between two experts in violent extremism and targeted violence. The talk hit many topics including the overall problem of homegrown violent extremism, the problems facing prosecutors and law enforcement officials in going after all types of support of terrorist organizations, the differences between levels of support for terrorist organizations, the state and future of deradicalization programs, and the similarities between recruiting tactics of foreign terrorist organizations like ISIS and of hate groups based here in the United States.

Following President Biden’s first overseas trip to Europe in early June, many are hoping that it represents the United States’ returning to a more traditional approach to its transatlantic alliances where Britain plays a key role. To continue the critical work of Senator McCain on this issue, the McCain Institute seeks to convene experts for a series of conversations related to the future of NATO and how it positions itself to tackle some of the most pressing challenges of our time – a rising China, increasing international authoritarianism, the global plague of disinformation, etc.

This event is the second of a public conversation series between Dr. Mark T. Esper, the John McCain distinguished fellow and former U.S. secretary of defense, and experts on various issues related to challenges and threats to U.S. national security.