Jonathan Granoff, President of the Global Security Institute, discusses a myriad of issues ranging from nuclear proliferation to developing effective, peaceful coalitions and programs. The world is in a more dangerous position today, regarding nuclear weapons than at any point in time. 13,999 nukes exist in the world, whereas only 2% are necessary to destroy the world. The Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) is the foundation for the peaceful use of nuclear energy. Actions in Venezuela, attacks on US allies, and bombings of Iran upend the Rule of Law. Allies can no longer believe in the US’s umbrella of nuclear protection. The US is not living up to its national and domestic laws. Every citizen should ask policymakers and politicians to eliminate nukes, reduce poverty, and to protect the climate. Disarmament and nuclear proliferation should be taught in the schools. Nuclear weapons and weapons of mass destruction are not partisan issues.

March 8, 2026

Steve Schlesinger is a Fellow at the Century Foundation in New York City. Mr. Schlesinger authored "Act of Creation: Founding of the United Nations," and he is an expert on the UN and international issues. The League of Nations was the forerunner of the UN, which was created in 1945 where over 60 million died. The UN has been vital in preventing World War 3, providing humanitarian assistance to hundreds of millions of refugees, developing partnerships with groups such as Rotary International to eliminate the scourge of polio, and sending peacekeeping troops into dangerous areas to restore stability. Other basic UN services are to develop international agreements to safely move aircraft, ships, telecommunications, mail and weather information worldwide. The Trump administration has drastically cut US donations to the world body, which is damaging the US and the world. The US benefits more from the UN than probably any other country.

March 8, 2026

Rebecca Shoot, immediate past Executive Director of Citizens for Global Solutions, is an international lawyer and democracy and governance practitioner with extensive experience supporting human rights, democratic processes, and the rule of law on five continents. She is a Co-Convener, Washington Working Group for the International Criminal Court. She is the Co-Convener, ImPact Coalition on Strengthening International Judicial Institutions. The UN 80th celebration operates in close coordination with the Pact for the Future. The pact offers how to set out a broad agenda to strengthen multilateral cooperation on sustainable development, international peace and security, science and technology, digital cooperation, youth empowerment and global institutional reform. The United Nations has to be understood as a political and normative process, not just reformative or managerial. To be more relevant, the UN must move from consultation to co-creation with a multistake feedback loop, reform the veto authority and possibly select a female secretary-general.

February 27, 2026