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 institute holds the McCain family archives.[4]
Funding of the institute comes from a variety of individuals, foundations, and corporations, including Wal-Mart Stores, FedEx, Saudi Arabia,[5] and hedge fund owner Paul E. Singer. Some of the funders have business before Congress, but during his life McCain's representative said such actions would not affect his votes.[6]
The institute holds an annual conference, the Sedona Forum, for national and international leaders. It is held each spring in Sedona, Arizona. Previous guests have included Vice President Joe Biden, Ben Affleck, former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.[citation needed]
The institute sponsors a series of debates on foreign policy. The debates are followed by a private, non-attribution discussion among the debaters and the senior policymakers present. These debates have been held in multiple cities.[7]
The McCain Institute also hosts a lecture series for prominent government figures.[8]
