For decades, the Pugwash movement has stood as a beacon of reason in a world often blinded by the pursuit of destructive power. My own commitment to these principles was forged not in a lecture hall, but in the silence of a prison cell, where I chose the path of scientific integrity over the development of weapons of mass destruction. Today, as we face an increasingly complex global security landscape—from the renewed threat of nuclear proliferation to the existential challenges of climate change—the Pugwash mission is more vital than ever. In Iraq and across the Middle East, we are dedicated to fostering a neutral, evidence-based dialogue that transcends political and ideological divides. Our goal is to ensure that scientific knowledge is a tool for peace, development, and the settlement of disputes, rather than a precursor to conflict.