Eliot A. Cohen is a leading authority in international security and strategic affairs. He holds the Arleigh A. Burke Chair in Strategy at CSIS and is Professor Emeritus at Johns Hopkins SAIS, where he served as dean from 2019 to 2021. Previously, he was Counselor of the U.S. State Department under Secretary Condoleezza Rice (2007–2009), advising on Iraq, Afghanistan, and Russia. A prolific author, his works include Supreme Command, Conquered into Liberty, The Big Stick, and The Hollow Crown, and he contributes to The Atlantic and major national media.

Judy Woodruff is a veteran broadcast journalist with a career spanning over five decades. She served as the anchor and managing editor of PBS NewsHour from 2013 to 2022, becoming the sole anchor following the passing of co-anchor Gwen Ifill in 2016. Woodruff has covered every U.S. presidential election and convention since 1976 and has held prominent roles at NBC, CNN, and PBS. She is renowned for her insightful political reporting and commitment to journalistic integrity. Currently, she continues her work as a senior correspondent for PBS NewsHour.

Arash Azizi is an Iranian writer, historian, and journalist whose work explores the intersections of politics, culture, and society in Iran and the broader Middle East. His latest book, What Iranians Want: Women, Life, Freedom, delves into the aspirations and struggles of Iranians seeking a normal life under a repressive regime. Azizi's insightful analysis sheds light on various forms of activism in Iran, from employment and environmentalism to religious freedom, highlighting the resilience and determination of the Iranian people. His previous works include The Shadow Commander: Soleimani, the US, and Iran's Global Ambitions, which examines the life and influence of Iranian General Qasem Soleimani. Azizi's writings have appeared in numerous publications, and he is recognized for his in-depth reporting and historical perspectives on Iran's contemporary issues.