| McCain Institute | |
| Type: | International affairs think tank |
| Headquarters: | 1800 I Street NW, Suite 600 |
| Location: | Washington, D.C. |
| Leader Title: | Executive Director |
| Leader Name: | Evelyn Farkas |
The McCain Institute is a Washington, D.C.–based nonpartisan think tank established in cooperation with Arizona State University with the stated mission to "fight for democracy, human dignity, and security for a world that is free, safe, and just for all people."[1] The Institute was formed in 2012 and is named after U.S. Senator and 2008 Republican Party presidential nominee John McCain. Based in Washington, D.C., the McCain Institute is part of Arizona State University. Its executive director is Evelyn Farkas, an American national security advisor, author, and foreign policy analyst, and former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Russia, Ukraine, and Eurasia.[2]
The institute's stated goals are to provide decision recommendations for leaders, to publish relevant research, to identify and train new national security leaders, and to promote and preserve the McCain family's legacy.[3]
The McCain Institute is funded by donations from individuals, foundations, and corporations. As of 2024, past donors have included Wal-Mart, FedEx, SpaceX, Chevron, the embassies of Saudi Arabia[4] and Denmark, Howard Graham Buffett[5] and hedge fund owner Paul E. Singer.[6]
The Institute hosts the Sedona Forum, an annual, invitation-only conference where international leaders and global security experts discuss global issues and solutions.[7] [8] It is held each spring in Sedona, Arizona. Previous attendees have included Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Senator Mitt Romney,[9] and Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen.[10]
The McCain Institute runs programs focused on human rights, democracy, and combating human trafficking.[11] The Institute’s Preventing Targeted Violence program was created in 2020 with the goal of preventing hate-inspired violence and terrorism.[12]