Pakistan has close to 100 nuclear weapons ready to deploy, which makes U.S. – Pakistani relations among the most important in the world. In his recently published book, Magnificent Delusions: Pakistan, the United States, and an Epic History of Misunderstanding, Ambassador Husain Haqqani narrates the troubled relationship between our two countries despite the importance of fostering strong bi-lateral ties. He writes, “since 1947 … dependence, deception and defiance have characterized U.S. – Pakistani relations” and that Pakistan has become a “uni-focal state” with a mission to get Kashmir back from India at any expense.  He also discusses the enormous strain put on U.S. – Pakistani relations in 2011 when it was discovered that Osama bin Laden had been hiding in Pakistan for 9 years.

Ambassador Haqqani is a Pakistani scholar and public figure who most recently served as Pakistan’s Ambassador to the U.S. from 2008-2011. Prior to serving as Ambassador to the U.S., Haqqani held several positions including adviser to Pakistani Prime Ministers Ghulam Mustafa Jatoi, Nawaz Sharif, Benazir Bhutto and Yusuf Raza Gilani.  He came to the U.S. in 2002 as a Visiting Scholar at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace in Washington, DC and as adjunct professor at the School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) at Johns Hopkins University. 

Ambassador Sergeyev is at the international forefront of one of the most consequential foreign policy challenges of Europe and the West in the last 10 years. While representing Ukraine in the UN Security Council, he is playing an important role in gathering support to guarantee Ukraine’s security as the country faces increasing pressure from Russian-backed illegal armed groups. In an escalating crisis, prior to the May 25 presidential elections, he is vocal about Ukraine’s commitment to solve the standoff through diplomatic channels, and outspoken about his country’s adherence to the Geneva agreement reached by the U.S., the EU, Russia and Ukraine in April of this year.  The accords requires all illegal armed groups to be disarmed, all factions in Ukraine to refrain from violence, and the return of illegally seized buildings. It also promises amnesty to protesters. Russia has argued that Ukraine has not fulfilled its promises, while the West accuses Russia of orchestrating more conflict and not putting pressure on illegal armed groups to lay down their arms.

Before taking his post in New York, Ambassador Sergeyev was Ukrainian Ambassador to France, UNESCO, Greece, Albania, and the Bahamas. Back at home, he served in several posts in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In 2003 he was awarded the State Order of Ukraine “For Merit” and an Honorary Decree of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine. He earned a Ph.D from Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv in 1981. He is fluent in English, Russian and French.

Nina Khrushcheva is Associate Professor in the Graduate Program of International Affairs at The New School. Her recent focus has been on the political legacy of Nikita Khrushchev after allegations that Leonid, Khrushchev’s oldest son, was executed by Stalin for his services to the Nazis in WWII, and was not a war hero. Her investigation into these allegations has formed the basis of her forthcoming book, The Lost Khrushchev: A Family Journey into the Gulag of the Russian Mind. The Lost Khrushchev is an exploration into her family’s history and the legacy of Nikita Khrushchev, 50 years after his ousting from the Kremlin. In a natural continuation she addresses Russia’s infatuation with Stalin, Khrushchev’s political legacy and what it means for Russian politics today.

Dr. Khrushcheva is the author of two books and numerous articles and is also editor and contributor to Project Syndicate: Association of Newspapers Around the World. She frequently makes media appearances, including on the News Hour with Jim Lehrer, PBS's World Focus and CNN's World View. Her articles have appeared in Newsweek, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Financial Times and other publications. She is a recipient of Great Immigrants: The Pride of America Award from the Carnegie Corporation of New York.

Thanassis Cambanis is a Fellow at The Century Foundation, a New York-based progressive non-partisan think tank. From a vantage point of living in Beirut, he has been a first-hand witness of the major shifts that have taken place in Egypt since the uprisings that toppled President Mubarak 3 years ago in the hope of bringing democracy in this historic country. Mr. Cambanis analyzes the forces that deposed President Morsi and since have given rise to General el-Sisi. His latest book chronicles the idealistic and ultimately failed efforts of Egyptian revolutionaries to build a democratic order after Mubarak.

Mr. Cambanis is a journalist who has covered the Middle East for nearly a decade. His first book, A Privilege to Die: Inside Hezbollah’s Legions and Their Endless War Against Israel, was published in 2010. He writes “The Internationalist” column for The Boston Globe Ideas section, and is a correspondent for The Atlantic. Thanassis regularly contributes to The New York Times, the Boston Globe (where he served as a foreign correspondent in Iraq and the Middle East), and other publications. In 2011 he worked as an adjunct professor at Columbia University and served as a Ferris Professor of Journalism at Princeton University in 2009. 

UN Deputy Secretary-General, Jan Eliasson, is second in command of the UN under Secretary-General, Ban Ki-Moon. He is Sweden's former Foreign Minister, and served as his country's Ambassador to the US twice. Most recently, he was instrumental in the chemical weapons negotiations with Syria, efforts that have been implemented by the Organization Against Chemical Weapons, which was recently honored with the Nobel Peace Prize. He has served in numerous high level positions at the UN including: President of the General Assembly; the first UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs; and a member of the UN Secretary-General’s Millennium Development Goals Advocacy Group.

Ambassador Eliasson is a tireless advocate of taking a holistic, problem-oriented approach to solve complex global challenges. He argues that “there is no peace without development; there is no development without peace; and there is no sustainable peace without respect for human rights”. Furthermore, solutions in an increasingly interconnected world with emerging transnational problems require shared responsibility, with an “inter-sectoral and interdisciplinary approach” by tearing down barriers between different sectors in order to make a lasting difference in the developing world. 

As the highest ranking Iranian official working in the United States, Ambassador Khazaee has played an important role in building bridges of understanding among Iranians and Americans. In the past year alone, he played a key role in preparing the ground for the P5+1 negotiations held in Europe that resulted in an accord that temporarily freezes much of Tehran’s nuclear program in exchange for limited relief from Western economic sanctions. This interim agreement is, in effect, an elaborate pause button that provides a basis for pursuing a larger accord over the course of 2014.

Ambassador Khazaee has also been instrumental in carrying out President Rouhani’s goal of building trust and friendships between the citizens of Iran and the U.S. by fostering exchanges and opportunities for face-to-face engagement. Network 20/20 was one of the first American non-profits to be invited to visit Iran after President Rouhani's election.

Dr. Jamal Nusseibeh is currently on leave from teaching law at Al Quds University in Jerusalem – the only Arab university of higher learning in this historic city, and one of the two major Palestinian institutions that still remain in the city.  For the last three years, he was responsible for managing the unique legal and political challenges confronted by the University in Jerusalem, central amongst which is Israel’s continued refusal to recognize it as a legitimate university, and the constant pressure and threat of closure under which the University consequently operates.  Moreover, since Al Quds graduates are not recognized as such by Israel, it is almost impossible for them to work or make a life in Jerusalem – especially in the fields of medicine, dentistry and education, for instance, which are regulated by Israel in the city.  Another persistent challenge facing the university is posed by the Separation Wall surrounding the city, which has isolated the two principal campuses of Al Quds from each other, and made access by students and professors almost impossible.

Dr. Nusseibeh comes from a family that traces its roots in Jerusalem back 1300 years.  He studied in France, the UK and the U.S., with a J.S.D from Columbia University, and was active in the private sector for many years, including a stint at the New York law firm of Curtis, Mallet-Prevost, Colt and Mosle.  He returned to Jerusalem a few years ago to provide support to Al Quds University, which has been run by his (more famous) father, Professor Sari Nusseibeh, since 1994.  

Dr. H. Onno Ruding is a Dutch-born internationally renowned financial expert, who has served as Vice Chairman of Citicorp/Citibank from 1992-2003, Executive Director of the International Monetary Fund from 1977-1980, and Minister of Finance for the Netherlands from 1982-1989. 

Currently, Dr. Ruding is a member of the Board of Directors for the Centre for European Policy Studies, the largest independent think-tank focusing on EU affairs. He is a member of Network 20/20's Advisory Council, and also serves on boards or advisory councils of several other charitable, financial, and cultural organizations. 

Dr. Ruding began his career at the Ministry of Finance at the Hague, before moving to Amsterdam-Rotterdam Bank (AMRO), where he rose to become a member of AMRO's Board of Managing Directors. He received a doctorate degree in economics from Erasmus University Rotterdam. 

Hear firsthand from Ambassador Wittig about Germany's commitments to global peace, security, and economic and environmental sustainability. Gain behind-the-scenes insights into Germany's important contributions to the pioneering P5+1 talks with Iran in Geneva.

Discover how Germany, the third largest financial contributor to the UN and second largest aid donor, is working towards UN reform based on its commitment that "...a strong UN with representative institutions is best placed to provide world order." Discuss with Ambassador Wittig his belief that you can count on  Germany as a driver of UN reform, a promoter of political solutions to global problems, a model for peaceful regional cooperation, a responsible donor of development assistance, an advocate for disarmament, a pioneer in green energy and climate change and a strong voice for freedom, democracy and human rights.

Deepen your appreciation of Germany as a land of innovation that has given us the printing press, the automobile, asprin, the revolutionary MP3 technology, and is the home of Martin Luther, Albert Einstein, Friedrich Nietzsche, Karl Marx, Goethe, Beethoven, the Brothers Grimm and other influential greats.

In 2009, Zambian-born Dr. Dambisa Moyo was named by TIME Magazine as one of the “100 Most Influential People in the World.” A global economist, she sees an ideological schism emerging between developed and developing countries. She argues that people naturally pivot towards economies and politics in a rational way, seeking better living standards in a short amount of time. Because of this, she sees a real challenge to Western ideals emerging – the system embodied by China which values state capitalism, deemphasizes democracy and prioritizes economic rights. No longer can liberty, political rights and democracy dominate global thinking when, today, 90% of the world’s population lives in emerging markets, and to them, political rights take a back seat to food, shelter, education, and healthcare.

Dr Moyo’s writing regularly appears in economic and finance-related publications such as the Financial Times and the Wall Street Journal.  Her work examines the interplay between rapidly developing countries, international business, and the global economy, while highlighting the key opportunities for investment.

What will Brazil and Mexico’s roles be in the next 10 years? How different is their interaction with the U.S. given that one (Mexico) is a free market and member of NAFTA, and the other, Brazil (closed economy), is not? How have Brazil and Mexico quickly emerged as major focuses in world affairs? What is China's roleas Brazil’s number one investment partner and Mexico's second trading partner,

Dr. Riordan Roett will address these questions in his off-the-record briefing for Network 20/20. Brazil and Mexico’s relationships with the United States are especially important as they are geographically close.

Riordan Roett serves as a member of the Bretton Woods Committee.  He is a recipient of the Order of Rio Branco from the government of Brazil with the rank of commander as well as a recipient of the Order of Bernardo O'Higgins from the government of Chile with the rank of gran official.  He is recognized for contributions to SAIS (School of Advanced International Studies) with establishment of the Riordan Roett Chair in Latin American Studies in 2004.  Riordan Roett is a former consultant to Chase Manhattan Bank in various capacities, a former faculty fellow of the World Economic Forum at the annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland, a former national president of the Latin American Studies Association; he holds a Ph.D. in political science from Columbia University.  Riordan Roett is a member of the board of directors for a number of closed mutual funds at Legg Mason and a member of the Council on Foreign Relations.

In 2011, Newsweek named Isobel Coleman one of “150 Women Who Shake the World” in part because she served as a track leader for the Clinton Global Initiative.   She is the author and co-author of numerous publications, including Pathways to Freedom: Political and Economic Lessons from Democratic Transitions, Restoring the Balance: A Middle East Strategy for the Next President, and Strategic Foreign Assistance: Civil Society in International Security. Her writings have also appeared in publications such as Foreign Affairs, Foreign Policy, The Washington Post, Financial Times, International Herald Tribune, USA Today, and Christian Science Monitor, as well as online venues such as the TheAtlantic.com and CNN.com. She maintains a blog, “Democracy in Development.” Dr. Coleman is a frequent speaker at academic, business, and policy conferences.

Isobel Coleman is senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations in New York, where she focuses on the Middle East and South Asia. She is the director of CFR’s Civil Society, Markets, and Democracy Initiative. She is also the director of CFR’s Women and Foreign Policy Program. Her areas of expertise include democratization, civil society and economic development, regional gender issues, educational reform, and microfinance.

Prior to joining the Council on Foreign Relations, Dr. Coleman was CEO of a healthcare services company and a partner with McKinsey & Co. in New York. A Marshall Scholar, she holds a DPhil and MPhil in international relations from Oxford University and a BA in public policy and East Asian studies from Princeton University. She serves on several non-profit boards, including Plan USA and Student Sponsor Partners.

Martin Wolf is chief economics commentator at the Financial Times, London. He was awarded the CBE (Commander of the British Empire) in 2000 “for services to financial journalism.”  He is an associate member of the governing body of Nuffield College, Oxford, honorary fellow of Corpus Christi College, Oxford University, an honorary fellow of the Oxford Institute for Economic Policy (Oxonia) and a special professor at the University of Nottingham.

Martin Wolf has been a forum fellow at the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos since 1999 and a member of its International Media Council since 2006. He was made a Doctor of Letters, honoris causa, by Nottingham University in July 2006. He was made a Doctor of Science (Economics) of London University, honoris causa, by the London School of Economics in December 2006.  Wolf's most recent publications are Why Globalization Works and Fixing Global Finance.

Reza Aslan’s new book, Zealot, is currently 2 on the New York Times Best Sellers List.  It provides insights into the forces that continue to plague the turbulent Middle East.  Sifting through centuries of mythmaking, Reza Aslan sheds new light on one of history’s most influential and enigmatic characters by examining Jesus through the lens of the tumultuous era in which he lived: first century Palestine, an age awash in apocalyptic fervor. Scores of Jewish prophets, preachers, and would-be messiahs traipse through the Holy Land, bearing messages from God.  This is the age of zealotry – a fervent nationalism that made resistance to the Roman occupation a sacred duty incumbent on all Jews.  And few figures better exemplified this principle than the charismatic Galilean who defied both the imperial authorities and their allies in the Jewish religious hierarchy.

Network 20/20 Charter Member Dr. Reza Aslan is an internationally acclaimed writer, scholar of religions, and contributing editor for The Daily Beast.  A best-selling author, Aslan’s first book, No god but God: The Origins, Evolution, and Future of Islam, was named one of the hundred most important books of the last decade.  He has made regular appearances on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, CBS News, and Tavis Smiley among many others.  He is also the author of How to Win a Cosmic War (published in paperback as: Beyond Fundamentalism: Confronting Religious Extremism in a Globalized Age), as well as editor of two volumes: Tablet and Pen: Literary Landscapes from the Modern Middle East, and Muslims and Jews in America: Commonalities, Contentions, and Complexities.