Weekend PKCap column: McConnell & other R national security hawks feel some momentum, after brutal winter/early spring left them reeling. They need to isolate nativists in Trump orbit. “Let’s hope the president continues to move in the direction he has,” MM told McCain Inst. ..

Seeing this McCain Institute event reminds me of way back in 2016 when Republican leaders knew Putin was a thug and a killer who was attacking the US and US interests. And wanted to do something about it instead of just posting tweets and postponing deadlines.

IN THE NEWS: #SedonaForum 2025. Explore the media coverage from this year’s Forum—including features in @azcentral, @washingtonpost, @FT, @politico, @cspan, @azfamily, @thehill, @taipei_times, and more.

Sneak peek: Day two of the 2025 #SedonaForum. @cindymccain, @kellyo, @vkaramurza, @AlsuKurmasheva, @SenMarkKelly, @amyklobuchar, @SenAmyKlobuchar.

US could defeat China in a Taiwan war today but under increasing pressure. ⁦@IndoPacom #AdmiralPaparo says US on a “bad trajectory” at #SedonaForum

@JasonCrowCO @McCainInstitute Belarusian opposition leader @Tsihanouskaya urges the world not to hand over her country to Putin as a “consolation prize” in wrangling over Ukraine #sedonaforum @McCainInstitute

At #SedonaForum, @MariaCorinaYA, Venezuela’s opposition leader in hiding, says her country should go from being a “criminal hub” to being an “energy hub” of the region, speaking in language Trump surely understands @McCainInstitute

Standing ovation for @MariaCorinaYA who spoke live to the #sedonaforum while accepting the @McCainInstitute’s Courage & Leadership Award for her courageous fight for freedom in Venezuela.

Today we recognize #WorldPressFreedomDay at the #sedonaforum with our media partner @washingtonpost & The Post’s Press Freedom Partnership.

The 2025 #SedonaForum kicks off May 2 with the theme “Wielding America’s Preeminent Power.” The @washingtonpost will serve as the exclusive media partner & top-notch journalists will lead timely conversations with a bipartisan group of lawmakers and experts.

.@jrezaian writes about his conversation with @vkaramurza at the McCain Institute in his inaugural @wppressfreedom newsletter. Read it here:

If you care about freeing hostages from evil autocratic regimes like Russia & Iran, check out the @McCainInstitute's newly launched John McCain Freedom for Political Prisoner's Initiative featuring advisory council experts @vkaramurza & @jrezaian. #FPPI

“There are no Georgians that are pro Russian,” @Zourabichvili_S tells group of journalists at @McCainInstitute.

Jesús Armas, a renowned Venezuelan opposition leader & a @McCainInstitute Global Leader has been arbitrarily detained by the Maduro regime. Jesús is a fierce advocate for democracy and freedom. We call for his unconditional release. #FreeJesúsArmas

Jesus Armas is a member of the McCain Global Leaders alumni network and a close friend of the @McCainInstitute. He must be released immediately! #FreeJesúsArmas

.@McCainInstitute chief program officer & forced labor expert @AbramsKL speaking with @ian_urbina on how slave labor distorts markets and degrades the planet - particularly in the illegal fishing space led by China.

“That plain document, which is worth nothing nowadays,” - Denys Sienik, Ukrainian Embassy DCM when asked about Budapest Memorandum signed exactly 30 years ago today. @McCainInstitute’s Washington Forum.

Thank you to the .@McCainInstitute's Washington Forum for hosting this timely session on hostage affairs.  Was an honor to speak alongside former detainee Siamak Namazi, if you missed it please see our panel here: https://t.co/SmfUrKa5Dr

“Ukrainians want this war to be over - but it must be over with just and lasting peace - not appeasement.” - @UKRintheUSA

Ukraine update with @UKRintheUSA’s Denys Sienik & @natemook at the @McCainInstitute’s Washington Forum. “More than 50% of Russia technology components are coming from elsewhere (China). If export control was stronger, Russia would be deprived of the ability to attack us daily.”