Morten Bøås (PhD) is a Research Professor at the Norwegian Institute of International Affairs. He works on violent conflict, insurgencies, and fragile states in Africa and the Middle East. From 2020 to 2023 Bøås was the Principal Investigator of the EU Horizon 2020 funded Project PREVEX – Preventing violent extremism in the Balkans and the MENA: Strengthening resilience in enabling environments. His latest book is “Resisting Radicalization: Exploring the Non-Occurrence of Violent Extremism.” Out of 9-11 attacks, one major conclusion is it was a Black Swan Operation which means it could happen, but intelligence services missed the signals. Grievances or underlying causes may push someone into a violent life due to lack of education, food insecurity, or poverty. Soft Power programs, such as Peace Corps, UN assistance and USAID may provide a better life for people who are susceptible. USAID is rated as an extremely efficient and effective self-help program.

Ansgar Baums, Senior Advisor to Sinolytics, consults corporations on geopolitical risk management. Baums held other positions within the corporate world, most recently as Head of the Global Strategy Program at HP and as Head of Government Relations Europe/Middle East/Africa at HP. His most recent publication is: “War.’ Both the US and Chinese policymakers are keenly aware of the key role technology plays in great-power competition. Both countries have rapidly expanded policies that aim at leveraging tech value chains for geopolitical purposes - what we call geotech statecraft. Conversely, both countries are also trying to minimize their exposure vis-a-vis their geopolitical opponent. To prevent this dynamic, a new international agreement to create “technology safe harbors” is needed. The Helsinki Accords during the Cold War could provide a template to achieve such an understanding. The UN forum would be a logical partner, but countries have to reduce their squabbling at the UN.

Felix Dodds has been a leading thinker in the area of global governance and sustainable development for thirty years. He is now an Adjunct Professor at the University of North Carolina. Felix chaired the UN conference in 2011 that put forward the first set of indicative Sustainable Development Goals. He set up the Water and Climate Coalition at the UNFCCC (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change). He attended the COP29 held in Baku Azerbaijan in November of 2024. The COP-29 presidency announced the “Baku Financial Goal,” a new commitment to allocate $1.3 trillion annually from climate financing for developing countries. Additional achievements include: Establish a Global Carbon Market Mechanism; Full Operation Guarantee for the Loss and Damage Fund; Launch of the Water for Climate Action Program; and, Emphasis on Public-Private Partnerships: A major criticism is that the fossil-fuel interests have played too large of a role in the COPs.

Dr. William Marcy, a lecturer at Buffalo State University, has authored two books: “The Politics of Cocaine,” and his most recent “Narcostates.” He highlights the scope of the Narcostates and the significance of the Central American crisis in expanding the cocaine trade in North America. Mexico’s permanent campaign against narcotics trafficking on Mexican cartels was directly affected after the Mexican economic crisis, the Zapatista Rebellion, and the Salinas administration’s corruption, all which worsened the situation in Mexico. Also discussed are details of various programs such as the War on Drugs, the Merida Initiative, Kingpin Strategy and CARSI. Cryptocurrency is a popular way to launder money through false invoicing, money transfers and others. America has apparently lost interest in Latin America and is mostly known for decades of benign neglect and gunboat diplomacy. Recommendations to Trump and Scheinbaum Administrations is cooperate, root out corruption, develop infrastructure and education, and curtail recidivism.

Dr. Michael Cairo is a Professor of Political Science and the Program Director of International Affairs at Transylvania University, Lexington, Kentucky His most recent book is “American Presidents and Israeli Settlements since 1967.”

Since the October 7, 2023, attack by Hamas on Israel, 90% of Gaza has been destroyed, 46,000 Palestinians were killed and 100,000 wounded. Given the continued development of many illegal settlements, it will be even more difficult for the US to be a neutral broker. UNRWA (United Nations Relief and Works Agency) has 13,000 employees, but only 5 have been accused of collaborating with Hamas. UNRWA is critical to providing educational, nutritional and medical assistance to the Palestinians. Without a two-state solution, it will be difficult not to have an official Apartheid System. Emphasis should focus on humanitarianism to get more aid and revitalize UN operations on the ground such as UNRWA and the World Food Program.

Luis Argueta, a Guatemalan film director and producer, founded Morningside Movies and is world-renowned for his movies that tend to depict Guatemalan - Latin American culture and the struggle for peace through understanding. The Guardian listed Mr. Argueta as one of Guatemala’s National Living Icons, alongside Nobel Laureate Rigoberta Menchu and Singer/Songwriter Ricardo Arjona. Through his artistic productions, he views Immigration seen from both sides of the border vividly depicted in his first three immigration documentaries: abUSed, The Postville Raid, ABRAZOS and THE U TURN which told the stories of Guatemalan immigrant families living in the Midwest. Immigrants are often misunderstood and demonized, but they play a vital role in the development and prosperity of a country that is suffering depopulation, plus they work at unfilled menial jobs not pursued by most Americans. Many Guatemalans leave their home countries and migrate elsewhere due to crime, climate crisis and political uncertainty.

Steve Schlesinger, Fellow at the Century Foundation in New York City, authored "Act of Creation: Founding of the United Nations," and is an expert on the UN and international issues. Over the past 8 decades the UN has expanded its mandate and development programs to reduce conflicts, combat diseases and climate change, develop maritime and aviation safety, move ships, mail and weather information worldwide. We have not experienced a major world war since 1945. The modern, interconnected world could not exist without the UN. Although the US is one of the major beneficiaries of UN programs, the Republican House of Representative voted to cut off funding to the UN, which would be devastating for many US foreign policies. The polls show that the public supports American involvement in the UN. Project 2025 is a blueprint for an isolationist, Fortress America that is dangerous for both the US and the world.

Michelle Gladieux, a communication expert, debate coach, executive coach, and author of “Communicate with Courage: Taking Risks to Overcome the Four Hidden Challenges" trains leaders in almost every industry to experience more impactful interactions and presentations. Four personality types consist of: 1) Driver, a highly assertive person; 2) Analyst, great at details; 3) Amiable means flexibility; 4) Expressive style, one who talks and builds relationships. The Hidden Challenges include: 1) Hiding from Risk when the risk should be confronted; 2) Defining to be Right to please the ego; 3) Rationalizing the Negative out of fear; and 4) Settling for “Good Enough.” Pro Moves are discussed, small actions we can take to achieve more positive influence as communicators with a little more effort. Learn how to determine your unique mission as a communicator, when and how to give praise, and how to get credit for positive changes you pursue to avoid being stereotyped.

Dr. Frank N. von Hippel, Senior Research Physicist and Professor of Public and International Affairs emeritus of the Program on Science and Global Security at Princeton University’s forthcoming book is, “Ending the Nuclear Arms Race – A physicist’s quest.” The world has 9 nuclear states and over 10,000 nuclear weapons. The Doomsday Clock sponsored by the Bulletin of Atomic Scientists is now 90-seconds before striking midnight. DoD spends over $125 million per day to maintain our nuclear stockpile. Rather than spend trillions to modernize nuclear weapons, we should reduce them. A key player has been the United Nations, through its treaties and conferences, in reducing nuclear threats. The UN Nonproliferation Treaty (NPT) concluded in 1970 is the major treaty. Today’s weapons are far more powerful and devastating than the atomic bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945. Recommendations: No First Use of nukes; 2) Get away from launch on warning posture.

Tony Payan, Ph.D., is Executive Director of the Center for the United States and Mexico at Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy. His most recent book is, “U.S.-Mexico Relations: Structuring Alternative Futures.” The US-Mexico relationship is very complicated in the areas of climate, migration, security and trade. Mexico is the US’s largest trading partner with trade at almost $850 billion a year. Candidate Donald Trump threatened to put a 200% tariff on John Deere tractors produced in Mexico. Generally, any tariff will be paid by the customer and raise the purchase price, increase the inflation rate and could lead to a Smoot-Hawley international recession or depression, whereas selective tariffs can be helpful in some cases. Mexican President Claudia Scheinbaum does not have a strong team; whereas Donald Trump may have the same problem, or a brain drain of expertise, if he fires more than 50,0000 knowledgeable professional public administrators.

Craig Storti, a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer, is an author and a trainer/consultant in the field of intercultural communications and cross-cultural adaptation. Eight of his books are on intercultural topics, while the two most recent—Why Travel Matters and especially The Hunt for Mount Everest—are for general audiences. He was a Peace Corps Volunteer in Morocco, which offered a unique experience that was crucial in promoting the concept that there are several world views and expanding his love of travel and the intercultural field. When President Kennedy established the Peace Corps in 1961, he had three goals to provide technical assistance, discuss America with your host country nationals and bring the experience home and share it. Main themes in intercultural training include your values, beliefs and assumptions, which may be different from someone else’s, being more aware of your own culture when you travel and always being open minded.

Dr. Justin Quinn Olmstead is a historian for Sandia National Laboratories in Albuquerque, New Mexico. His most recent book “From Nuclear Weapons to Global Security: 75 Years of Research and Development at Sandia National Laboratories.” Dr. Robert Oppenheimer helped launch the Sandia Labs, which is an engineering laboratory for the nation’s nuclear deterrence. President Harry Truman was directly involved in setting up the Lab, whereas President Eisenhower initiated the Plowshare Program to explore the peaceful uses of nuclear energy and the Atoms for Peace program in 1957. Sandia supports global security by working with US agencies, the UN’s IAEA, and several of the United Nations treaties, such as the Non-Proliferation Treaty that focuses on the peaceful uses of nuclear energy and to avoid nuclear proliferation. Sandia has been “ hands-on” in helping mitigate the BP Oil Spill, Fukushima Disaster, Challenger explosion, the rapidly devastating climate crisis and the 9-11 destruction.

Skyler Badenoch, a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer, is Executive Director for the Hope for Haiti organization. Hope for Haiti is a developmental organization focusing on poverty alleviation with an emphasis on women and children. It has 150-full time staff working on education, health care, clean water, and economic development programs in the southern region. Haiti, the size of Maryland, shares the Caribbean Island of Hispaniola with the Dominican Republic. Although the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere, and the first free Black Republic, Haiti is culturally rich but has a tragic history of natural, economic and political disasters. Various Rotary International Clubs have assisted with clean water projects, whereas the United Nations UNICEF agency has collaborated in implementing nutrition and water sanitation programs. Haiti has several challenges, and often is depicted as a failing country, the reality is that many successful programs operate to improve the peoples’ quality of life.

SRSG Pramila Patten, originally from Mauritius, was appointed by UN Secretary-General António Guterres as Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict with the rank of Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations. Her office was established by Security Council Resolution 1888 and introduced by Hillary Clinton. USG Patten succeeded Margot Wallström and Zainab Bangura, both of whom have been guests on Global Connections Television. The United Nations Sexual Violence in Conflict Office confronts some of the most horrendous and complex acts during wartime: violence against women, which is a very underreported crime. The Secretary General’s Annual Report on Conflict Related Sexual Violence has very specific, feasible and logical suggestions how to reduce this problem. A few examples include: need for member states to comply with Arms Treaties; provide access to the reports and documentation of crimes; adopt time-bound commitments; predictable funding levels; enhance accountability. Every war has shown an increase in sexual violence.

Dr. John Barkdull, Texas Tech University Emeritus, taught Political Science at Texas Tech University, established the Global Studies program, taught two years as a Distinguished Visiting Professor at the US Air Force Academy and was a Fulbright scholar in Bangladesh and Southeast Asia. His most recent book is “Confronting Climate Change.” The United Nations has been in the forefront of combating the climate crisis in a multitude of ways, such as the 1992 UN Conference on Environment and Development in Rio de Janeiro, the IPCC, the UN Paris Agreement, the SDGs and the UNFCC, just as examples. UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres is warning the globe is suffering from global boiling.” Scientists and governments proffered they might control the rapidly rising temperatures through adaptation, mitigation and transformation. If the world is unable to adapt more quickly, it may have to confront Deep Adaptation which is the collapse of the global civilization.

Jerry Glenn is a futurist who serves as the executive director of the Millennium Project. He authors an annual publication titled, “State of the Future.” He was the executive director of the American Council for the United Nations University and the deputy director of Partnership for Productivity International. He was also a Peace Corps Volunteer from 1968 to 1970. The Millennium Project is focused on the future and the myriad of challenges and resources available to deal with these challenges. A key challenge is to manage expectations of the Artificial General Intelligence, which is different from the narrow AI of today. AGI can address novel problems with unique solutions and act immediately. The third type of AI is the Super AI . As it has done in mobilizing the world to battle climate change, The UN will be a major player in understanding and regulating this unknown Super AI resource.

Thom Hartmann is an American radio personality, author, former psychotherapist, businessman, and progressive political commentator, whose talk show has been rated in the top 10 shows for over a decade by Talkers Magazine. His most recent book is “The Hidden History of the American Dream?” America, primarily thanks to FDR and unionization, was a catapult for the middle class until the early 1980s. The Reagan influence of Neoliberal economics contributed to the decentralization of regulations, race to the bottom, union busting and globalization for cheaper wages. The National Relations Labor Act legalizing unions was some of the most substantive legislation supported by FDR. Five suggestions to reactivate the American Dream: 1) encourage unionization and National Labor Relations Act; 2: raise top income bracket for the rich; 3) raise top corporate income tax to reduce bogus tax deductions; 4) reestablish inheritance tax; and, 5) guarantee social safety movement with health insurance.

Glenn Blumhorst is a leader in the Peace Corps community and is currently heading the Peace Corps Foundation in its flagship initiative to establish the Peace Corps Park on the National Park Service site near Capitol Hill and the National Mall in D.C. Blumhorst, formerly president and CEO of the National Peace Corps Association from 2013-2022, served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Guatemala. He highlighted how President John F. Kennedy was a visionary by launching the US Peace Corps in 1961 to lend a hand to developing countries to enhance their infrastructure. Peace Corps’ mission is to promote world peace and achieve the three goals which are to: train professionals to provide technical assistance in developing countries, help people overseas understand America better and to bring the unique Peace Corps experience back to the US, incorporate it into their lives and share it with policymakers, media and the public.

Kevin Cassidy is currently a Managing Partner at iC One Global which is an international development consultancy providing support in addressing integrated social, economic and environmental challenges. Mr. Cassidy has 40 years of international experience across the UN system, most recently with the United Nations International Labor Organization. He discusses how the rapid development of artificial intelligence (AI) is already having a tremendous impact on the global economy and is deeply integrated into the daily activities of societies everywhere. It also has the potential to transform the workforce of the future in ways policymakers, including the UN, governments and businesses, are still trying to understand better as AI rapidly flows through our lives in complex ways. Mr. Cassidy emphasizes how AI impacts our working lives, what can be done to ensure that countries are prepared for its impact on jobs and how youth can “future-proof” their opportunities in a transformed world of work.

Professor Barry Zellen is a research scholar in the Department of Geography at the University of Connecticut and is a Senior Fellow (Arctic Security) of the Institute of the North. His recent book is: “Arctic Exceptionalism: Cooperation in a Contested World.” The Antarctic Treaty System convened the states that have an interest in the area but no legal claims. The United Nations, through its treaties, has been instrumental in setting up international laws that have provided stability for both areas at polar opposites. Treaties on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, Law of the Sea and the IMO Polar Code are the linchpins. Arctic Exceptionalism is a reflection of inherently cooperating and warfare was the exception. The eight states in the Arctic Council include the US, Russia, Canada, Sweden, Norway, Iceland, Finland and Greenland. The invasion of Ukraine by Russia upended this delicate balance and challenged the stability of Arctic Exceptionalism.