In the Arena 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.