“When it came to the Vietnam War, Mr. McNamara was an early advocate of escalation but came to realize the flaws in the American approach earlier than many of his colleagues. Yet in public, he continued to defend the war.”

Irish-American journalist, diplomat, and government official

Samantha Jane Power is an Irish-American journalist, diplomat, and government official. She served as the United States ambassador to the United Nations from 2013 to 2017 and later led the United States Agency for International Development from 2021 to 2025. A member of the Democratic Party, Power has worked across journalism and public service at the highest level. Her career is tied to international affairs, diplomacy, and development policy, and her public voice is often associated with the responsibilities of American foreign policy.