Dr. Desmond Dinan is a professor of public policy in the Schar School of Policy and Government and holds the Jean Monnet Chair in European Public Policy at George Mason University. His most recent book is,” A Concise History of the European Union.” The EU concept grew out of WW2, but the EU was relaunched in the 1990s to deal with monetary issues, the end of the Cold War, globalization, and the unification of Germany. Putin’s illegal attack on Ukraine and the Trump administration’s belligerency toward the EU and NATO have helped refocus European interest in cooperation and multilateralism. Few Europeans realized how negative Trump2.0 would be for the continent, especially through undermining the Trans-Atlantic System, partnerships and shared values. In response to a variety of threats, the EU is starting to improve its defense procurement industry and organizing a military response, while ramping up its potential international peacekeeping activities.

Jerry Glenn, a futurist, serves as the executive director of the Millennium Project, and authors an annual publication, “State of the Future.” He was the executive director of the American Council for the United Nations University and was deputy director of Partnership for Productivity International. The State of the Future 20.0 Report is the most comprehensive and largest document covering 15 global challenges that affect the world. It is a tool for The UN Council of Presidents of the General Assembly which is an organization to help the 193-UN Member States determine its logical role in dealing with one of the thorniest: AGI (Artificial General Intelligence). Managing the transition to AGI is the most difficult management problem humanity has ever faced, A few other challenges to confront include Zero-Sum power geo-politics; the climate crisis; and global collective intelligence systems for water, energy, food, economics, education, gender, crime, ethics, and demographics.

Mark D. Walker, a Returned U.S. Peace Corps Volunteer from Guatemala, is an award-winning writer and President of Million Mile Walker. His new book is “The Guatemala Reader: Extraordinary Lives & Amazing Stories”. Today we are focusing on the important soft power vs. hard power concepts that are under intense discussion. Soft power, as opposed to hard power, is an example of how international overseas groups interact to make a difference in the lives of people abroad as well as benefiting their country’s image, business opportunities, diplomatic initiatives and partnerships. Some of the most prominent soft power organizations are the US Peace Corps, USAID, CARE, Rotary International, faith-based groups and other humanitarian service clubs. America’s credibility is devastated through the slash and burn of the USAID programs by Elon Musk and DOGE. Russia and China are delighted that the US has weakened itself and is unilaterally surrendering its international leadership.