Irene S. Wu, Ph.D. is author of “Measuring Soft Power in International Relations.” She is a lecturer in the Communications, Culture, and Technology Program of Georgetown University and a former fellow at the Wilson Center for international Scholars. Her other books include Forging trust communities: how technology changes politics, and from iron fist to invisible hand: the uneven path of telecommunications reform in China. Soft power, as opposed to hard power, is essential to persuade another country without the use of violence. Examples would include USAID, economic aid, international trade, US Peace Corps, UN projects and People to People Programs. Elimination of the successful USAID program and withdrawal from WHO have been detrimental to the perception of the US and accomplishments of many of its foreign policies. China, who is assuming more of a leadership role, has developed one of the largest infrastructure programs called the Belt and Road project.

Steve Schlesinger authored "Act of Creation: Founding of the United Nations. “ The UN mandate expanded since it was formed on June 26, 1945 to achieve three basic goals: eliminate scourge of war, promote economic and social development and enhance human rights. The US was the most important player at the UN; however, it is considerably weakened since the Trump administration withdrew from the UNHRC and WHO, and applied counterproductive policies that make China stronger. The UN covers the world in working with Rotary to defeat polio, helping companies move ships, aircraft, mail and weather information worldwide, providing assistance to refugees and combatting climate crisis and dozens more. Polls show most Americans support the UN. Now, the US is the laughingstock of the world for its counterproductive policies at the UN and surrendering its leadership. Generally speaking, most of the us Media have been incompetent in coverage of the UN.

Mike Tidwell is a journalist, author, and climate activist living in Takoma Park, MD. He served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of the Congo) from 1985 to 1987, where he taught fish farming in the village of Kalambayi. His most recent book is a detailed examination of the dramatic impacts of global warming in his own front yard, called “The Lost Trees of Willow Avenue: A story of Climate and Hope on One American Street. “ He founded the Chesapeake Climate Action Network in 2002. The climate crisis is moving at an even more rapid pace in every area of the world. Tacoma Park, MD, is the first city in America that experienced the elimination of a gasoline station and the substitution of an EV charging station only. The Trump administration is being counterproductive by promoting fossil fuels rather than enhancing clean energy policies.

Dr. Benjamin Houghton is a postdoctoral fellow at Lancaster University, UK, where he researches transnational repression. He holds a PhD from Durham University, UK, in Government and International Affairs. He is the author of “China's Strategy in the Gulf: Navigating Conflicts and Rivalries,” and has published two other books and several articles on global affairs. China intends to have friendly relations through its policy of “strategic hedging .” China launched the Belt and Road Project, one of the largest infrastructure programs in the world, with the goal of pursuing “soft power.” The recent dismantling of USAID, and withdrawal from WHO, has allowed China to fill a leadership void. The key to reducing the possibility of war between China and another country is to reenter the nuclear deal that Trump negated during his first term, and reinforce areas of cooperation, such as the reduction of piracy through the Red Sea Dialogue.

Charles Glass is an American British author, journalist, broadcaster and publisher specializing in the Middle East and the Second World War. He was ABC News chief Middle East correspondent from 1983 to 1993, and he has worked as a correspondent for Newsweek and The Observer. Glass is the author of Tribes with Flags: A Dangerous Passage Through the Chaos of the Middle East and a collection of essays, Money for Old Rope: Disorderly Compositions. His most recent book is “Syria: Civil War to Holy War.” He decided to author this book covering the Arab Spring in 2011 and a series of the other major events that occurred during the interim. The Arab Spring and climate change, caused by severe drought, were two major causes of the Syrian conflict. Humanitarian groups, especially the United Nations, supported the Syrian people during the civil war with clean water, refugee assistance, food and medicines.

Dr. Susan Sturm is the George M. Jaffin Professor of Law and Social Responsibility and the Founding Director of the Center for Institutional and Social Change at Columbia Law School. Her scholarship and teaching focus on advancing racial equity and full participation in educational, legal, and cultural institutions, increasing access to justice, and the role of law and leadership in advancing institutional and social change. Her new book is “What Might Be: Confronting Racism to Transform Our Institutions.” We have systems that are dehumanizing many Blacks, Latinos and other people of color. The questions should be how do we all participate in our society? Who is and is not able to participate? How can we strive to make sure they can participate? DEI is a misunderstood term that is often incorrectly used to cover a myriad of generalities, stereotypes and myths. Full citizen participation is critical to a successful democracy.

Ward Wilson is the founder and executive director of RealistRevolt. He is widely acknowledged as s leading source of innovative pragmatic arguments against nuclear weapons in the world today. His latest book, “It Is Possible: A Future Without Nuclear Weapons” has been endorsed by world leaders and scores of experts. About 90% of the 12,500 nukes are controlled by the USA and Russia; whereas, 10% are with China, France, United Kingdom, India, Pakistan, Israel, and North Korea. The UN is in the forefront in promoting the peaceful uses of nuclear energy and also preventing their spread, especially through its Non Proliferation Treaty (NPT), Experts estimated it cost $82 billion a year to maintain our nuclear stockpile. There have been 12 incidents that could have mistakenly led to accidental nuclear discharges. 138 countries support the elimination of nukes. Ronald Reagan said that nuclear war cannot be won and should never be fought.

John R. Wilmoth is the Director of the Department of Economic and Social Affairs Population Division at the UN. The Population Division has a myriad of excellent reports, studies and conferences, many of which can be viewed at: www.un.org/development/desa/pd/ Health is a human right and a centerpiece of sustainable development, recognized in various United Nations commitments, including the outcome of the International Conference on Population and Development held in 1994 and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development adopted in 2015, commonly called the Sustainable Development Goals. Despite earlier gains, progress on many health indicators has stalled in recent years. These issues were discussed at the recent 58th session of the Commission on Population and Development that took place from 7 to 11 April 2025 at the United Nations headquarters in New York City. One of several themes was to focus on health care for all, which is a universal right.