Yasuhide Nakayama:
“Is Iran the Next North Korea?
What We Must Do Now to Prevent a Third World War”
Israel’s strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities must not be interpreted as an act of aggression, but rather as a necessary and difficult decision to prevent a greater catastrophe. Should Iran succeed in its nuclear weapons program, it would plunge the entire Middle East—and potentially the world—into dangerous instability.This is not merely a regional issue. Japan, too, must not see it as someone else’s problem. As a country surrounded by authoritarian neighbors—Russia, China, and North Korea—Japan understands firsthand the consequences of failing to prevent nuclear proliferation. North Korea today is a de facto nuclear power, a situation that highlights the strategic failure in Northeast Asia. We cannot afford to let the same happen in the Middle East.
Iran’s nuclearization would severely impact the global energy supply chain and accelerate the risk of a wider war. If we are to avoid a third world war, such risks must be addressed collectively and decisively by the international community.
Some view Israel’s operation as a preemptive strike. However, this perspective often overlooks the fact that on October 7, Hamas carried out a brutal surprise attack against Israel—one that was supported by Iran. That reality cannot be dismissed.
In the same vein, the war in Ukraine is not simply a conflict between two nations. North Korea is reportedly sending personnel to support Russia. Chinese components are found in Russian weapons. Iran supplies drones and intelligence to the Russian military. These countries—Russia, China, Iran, and North Korea—are coordinating, and their collaboration poses a growing threat to democracies around the world.
Japan is already witnessing this danger firsthand. Recently, a Chinese J-15 fighter came within 45 meters of a Japanese reconnaissance plane—yet another example of hostile and calculated behavior.
It is time for democracies to stand united. As we mark the 80th year since the end of World War II, we must remember that our responsibility is not only to learn from the past, but to prevent history from repeating itself.
Let us work together—with wisdom, determination, and solidarity—for the sake of our children and the generations to come.
June 4, 2025 – The AI World Society (AIWS) is honored to recognize Phạm Hoàng Khanh, a 12-year-old musical prodigy from Vietnam, as the first young contributor to the AIWS Music for Humanity Movement. Through his thoughtful reflections and inspired performance of Mozart and Chopin, Khanh embodies the spirit of AIWS: using music and wisdom to guide a human-centered future in the Age of Artificial Intelligence.
Born on December 3, 2012, Khanh has distinguished himself not only through multiple national and international piano awards, but also as a young thinker deeply aware of AI’s impact on human creativity and society.
Khanh’s full remarks at his performance are shared below, offering a powerful message from the next generation:
Remarks by Phạm Hoàng Khanh Contributor to the AI World Society (AIWS) through Music
My name is Pham Hoang Khanh. I’m 12 years old and I come from Vietnam.
Today, I’m excited to share my thoughts on one of the most fascinating topics of our time—Artificial Intelligence, or AI. When we think of AI, names like ChatGPT, Gemini, or Siri might come to mind.
For me, AI has been a helpful companion in daily life—I’ve used it for voice commands, to brainstorm ideas for school assignments, and even to create graphics and visual effects for photos and videos.
But over time, I’ve come to realize something important: AI, if overused, can make us rely less on our own thinking. My friends and I sometimes turn to AI for quick answers, instead of using our own creativity and reasoning. It feels like eating fast food—quick, convenient, and tasty, but not always healthy. Just like fast food can affect our bodies, overusing AI without mindfulness can affect how we think and learn.
We are living in a world surrounded by AI. It’s already changing many fields, and may one day take over roles in teaching, journalism, music, design, and more. So the big question is: Will we use AI as a tool to support us, or will we become dependent on it and lose something essential?
That’s why I believe we need wisdom and responsibility in how we use AI. In creative areas like music, AI can assist with technical tasks—but true music still needs human emotions and soul. Feelings are what make art meaningful, and no machine can fully replace that.
I’m proud to contribute my music today to the AI World Society (AIWS)—an initiative that envisions a future where AI and humanity grow together in harmony, with respect for ethics, creativity, and shared values. AIWS calls on leaders around the world, especially in finance and governance, to come together and shape policies that ensure AI uplifts humanity, rather than replacing it.
It’s a great honor for me to perform two classical works: Sonata in C Major by Mozart, and Nocturne in E Major by Chopin as my small contribution to this vision. Through music, I hope to share a message of hope, balance, and beauty in the AI era.
Phạm Hoàng Khanh’s thoughtful insights and soulful performance reflect the goals of the AIWS Music for Humanity Forum, which aims to unite artists, leaders, and citizens to explore how music can inspire ethical AI development and preserve human values. His contribution will be featured at the 2026 AIWS Music for Humanity Forum in Nha Trang, alongside the AIWS Film Park showcase.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Date: May 29, 2025 Contact:
Nguyen Anh Tuan
Co-Founder, Co-Chair, and CEO, Boston Global Forum
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.bostonglobalforum.org
Boston, MA — The Boston Global Forum (BGF) and the AI World Society (AIWS) are proud to announce the launch of AIWS Music for Humanity, a pioneering global movement that seeks to harness the power of music to inspire compassion, peace, and ethical leadership in the Age of Artificial Intelligence.
Co-founded by Governor Michael Dukakis, Chairman of BGF, and Nguyen Anh Tuan, Co-Chair and CEO of BGF and Co-Founder of AIWS, the movement unites world-renowned musicians, composers, symphony orchestras, AI innovators, and policymakers to explore how music can guide society through one of the most transformative eras in human history.
🌍 A New Cultural Mission for the AI Age
AIWS Music for Humanity aims to elevate the role of music as a moral compass and cultural force to address the ethical challenges and emotional impacts of rapid technological change. The movement reflects the core values of AIWS: ethics, compassion, peace, dignity, and enlightenment.
“We believe music can speak where words fail,” said Governor Dukakis. “This movement brings heart and soul to global conversations about AI and our shared future.”
🎼 Key Components of the Movement
AIWS Music for Humanity Forum – A prestigious annual gathering rotating among Boston, Paris, Tokyo, Lake Como, and Nha Trang, where music leaders and AI experts shape the movement’s direction.
AIWS Music Ambassadors Program – Invites distinguished musicians to serve as cultural leaders of the initiative.
Collaborations with World-Class Orchestras – Partnerships with the Vienna Philharmonic, Boston Symphony Orchestra, and others to debut AIWS-themed works.
Composer’s Circle and Youth Innovation Challenge – Empowering emerging artists and young minds to express AI ethics through music.
Partnerships with leading institutions – Including New England Conservatory, Berklee College of Music, MIT Media Lab, and UNESCO.
Integration with the AIWS Film Park and StudioVerse – Original compositions will support immersive film experiences that tell the story of human dignity and AI.
In a powerful addition, recipients of the World Leader for Peace and Security Award and World Leader in AIWS Award will contribute messages and reflections, providing moral guidance to the movement.
📅 Upcoming Milestones
July 4, 2025: Global Launch Ceremony – Virtual event connecting five cities.
December 12, 2025: Release of the AIWS Peace Symphony at Boston Symphony Hall.
May 1, 2026: AIWS Music Ambassadors Gathering at Loeb House, Harvard University.
👥 Founders
Governor Michael Dukakis, Chairman and Co-Founder, Boston Global Forum
Nguyen Anh Tuan, Co-Founder, Co-Chair, and CEO, Boston Global Forum; Co-Founder, AIWS
Outside of international collaboration between states, the Pillars also have to manage and navigate their own internal frictions and affairs. Let us take a look at the handful of discourses plaguing the Pillars domestically:
If the Pillars were to continue their cooperation and enhance peace and security not just at home, but around the world, they would need to resolve, or at least persuade, their own citizens about the need for such prioritization of partnership and cooperation with other Pillars. A major example of one such flashpoint would be the buyout of US Steel by Nippon Steel, which would be mutually beneficial for the Pillars, but is being opposed domestically within the US due to concerns by a certain voter base. The stalling of the deal to placate a voter base is hampering long-term effectiveness and capacity for both Pillars. Thus, it would be in the Pillars best interest to resolve these roadblocks to continue improving relations and help enhance security of the rules-based order.
Minh Nguyen is the Chief Editor of the Boston Global Forum and a Shinzo Abe Initiative Fellow. She writes the Four Pillars column in the BGF Weekly newsletter.
BGF CEO Nguyen Anh Tuan to Highlight Nha Trang Spark on Vietnam National Day 2024
On Vietnam National Day, September 2, 2024, at 4:00 pm Vietnam time, Boston Global Forum (BGF) CEO Nguyen Anh Tuan and Mark Kennedy, Director of the Wilson Center’s Wahba Institute for Strategic Competition and a member of BGF’s Board of Thinkers, spoke a special talk show on KTV titled “Meet and Discuss with Nguyen Anh Tuan about Nha Trang Khanh Hoa Spark.”
During this special event, Nguyen Anh Tuan and Mark Kennedy discussed the strategic importance of connecting and engaging Nha Trang Khanh Hoa with Boston, Massachusetts. The discussion focuses on the shared goal of transforming Nha Trang Khanh Hoa into a global center of excellence in the Age of AI and the AI World Society (AIWS).
Nguyen Anh Tuan shared insights into the ongoing efforts to establish Nha Trang Khanh Hoa as a pivotal hub for technological innovation, digital economy, and AI-driven advancements. The dialogue explored the collaboration between Vietnam and the United States in areas such as AI, smart city development, and digital economy, tourism, with Nha Trang Khanh Hoa serving as a model for regional growth and global engagement.
Mark Kennedy offered his perspectives on the strategic significance of fostering such international connections, particularly in the Indo-Pacific region. The talk show highlighted the potential for Nha Trang Khanh Hoa to emerge as a key player in the global AI economy, attracting thought leaders, businesses, and innovators from around the world.
This event marks a significant step forward in the Indo-Pacific Spark Initiative, which seeks to build a strong economic and cultural bridge between the Indo-Pacific and the United States, with a focus on sustainable growth, innovation, and global security.
Referred to as one of Southeast Asia’s ‘Tiger Cub’ economies for its export-driven growth model similar to the ‘Asian Tigers’ Singapore, South Korea, and Taiwan, Vietnam continues to experience strong economic growth. This is largely driven by the government’s efforts to pursue international economic integration and implement pro-market reforms. In addition, Vietnam’s relatively cheap labor costs have enabled it to become an attractive investment destination for manufacturing.
Due to the current geopolitical environment, the country is positioning itself as an alternative for companies seeking to diversify their supply chains away from China. An important aspect of Vietnam’s foreign policy is its Three Nos: no military alliances, no siding with one country against another, and no foreign military bases on its soil. Rather than picking sides, Vietnam seeks to balance itself and forge strong relations with numerous other countries. Vietnam has formally designated seven countries as its ‘comprehensive strategic partners’: Australia, China, India, Japan, Russia, South Korea, and the United States.
As a result of its reforms, many countries now consider Vietnam to be a market economy which has helped to strengthen its global trade ties, though the US Department of Commerce recently decided to extend its current non-market status designation. The US hopes that Vietnam will continue its reforms so that it can grant non-market status. The Vietnamese government continues to enact policies designed to attract and retain more foreign investment by investing in education, pursuing free trade agreements, and improving infrastructure towards the goal of spurring further growth.
A close review of investments and trade flows show strong economic vitality and highlights two opportunities. First, there is an opportunity for greater US investment in Vietnam as its investment in Vietnam lags strategic partners and competitors alike. Second, that the robust trade between the US and Vietnam is imbalanced with significant Vietnamese exports to the US but scant imports from the US to Vietnam. Balancing this trade could be an opportunity to unlock greater US investment.
With the election of Trump in November 2016, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, 2015 World Leader for Peace and Security Award Recipient, proactively engaged with his administration to help contribute to shaping its decisions rather than being shaped by them.
At the diplomatic level, Japan has an advantage in its relationships within the Indo-Pacific. According to a survey on Southeast Asia by a leading research institute, Japan remains one of the most trusted partners of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. Additionally, India-Japan relations continue to deepen along a path charted by Abe.
Mark Kennedy, Director of the Wilson Center’s Wahba Institute for Strategic Competition and a member of Boston Global Forum’s Board of Thinkers, will visit Vietnam from August 31 to September 7, 2024. The purpose of the visit is to gain deep insights into Vietnam’s current potential and capabilities, with the aim of designing a strategic plan to propel Vietnam’s economy forward. Kennedy’s focus will be on identifying opportunities for rapid economic growth and aligning Vietnam’s trajectory with global trends. During his visit, he will meet with top business leaders, government officials, and deliver a keynote at the Indo-Pacific Spark Club in Hanoi. Nguyen Anh Tuan, CEO of Boston Global Forum, will accompany him on this significant trip.
For more information on Mark Kennedy, visit Wilson Center’s profile. Learn more about the Indo-Pacific Spark Initiative here.
Mark Kennedy was a guest speaker at KTV Talk Show on Vietnam National Day, Sep 2, 2024
While Ukraine fights on and continues making small gains in its incursion into Kursk Oblast against Russia, this offensive has revealed many topics of interests for the Four Pillars:
This incursion demonstrates that Russian red lines and fear-mongering of escalation continues to be proven false. Deterrence is essential to managing escalation with not just Russia, but China as well. This incursion has also made it more likely for peace to happen, as it should incentivize Russia to sue for peace (however, Russia is not a normal rational actor). It gives Ukraine a bargaining chip at the negotiating table, and to demonstrate to the Pillars about their willingness to fight on. Furthermore, Russia cannot be beaten back just on the battlefield, but also in the more invisible theaters of war – information warfare and sabotage warfare. The Pillars outside of the US, notably EU and India, have a role to play and own interests in dealing with these issues. And thus, it is important that the Pillars collaborate with each other in finding real lasting solutions to the Russia issues.
Additionally, some interesting pieces from other theaters of the world:
Minh Nguyen is the Chief Editor of the Boston Global Forum and a Shinzo Abe Initiative Fellow. She writes the Four Pillars column in the BGF Weekly newsletter.
