Great Decisions
Great Decisions Program.
Great Decisions is the largest nonpartisan public education program on international affairs in the world. Since 1918, the Foreign Policy Association, a sister World Affairs Council, Great Decisions program has been highlighting the most thought-provoking foreign policy challenges facing Americans. This program works to engage citizens by learning about critical global issues and U.S. foreign policy.
Based on the Foreign Policy Association’s annual briefing book on eight critical foreign policy topics, VCWA’s Great Decisions Discussion Series presents analysis by leading experts in eight sessions throughout the year.
Meet the 2021 Guest Experts
Roles of International Organizations in a Global Pandemic
February 10th | 12:00pm
Tyler Beckelman
Director of International Partnerships, U.S. Institute of Peace
The Covid-19 pandemic has thrust the World Health Organization (WHO) into the limelight, for better and for worse. While some of the Trump administration’s criticism of the organization is unfair, the response to the early stages of the pandemic left many experts wanting more from the WHO. What is the WHO’s role in responding to international pandemics? What can be done to improve the WHO’s response to future global health crises?
The Korean Peninsula
February 24 | 12:00pm
Kyle Ferrier
Fellow and Director of Academic Affairs, Korea Economic Institute of America (KEI)
The Korean Peninsula is facing a defining era. Attempts by South Korean President Moon Jae-in and U.S. President Donald Trump to repair the rift between North and South have lost any momentum as Pyongyang continues to test long-range missiles for its nuclear weapons program. As the rift between the U.S. and China grows further, South Korea may end up in the middle of the two superpowers. What does the future hold for the U.S. relationship with the ROK?
Brexit and the European Union
March 10 | 12:00pm
Amb. Kathleen Doherty
Chief Strategy and Retreats Officer at Annenberg Foundation Trust at Sunnylands
With the “Brexit transition period” coming to an end this year, the United Kingdom will formally leave the European Union at the start of 2021. With negotiations between the two entities continuing to stall, what does the future of Europe and the UK look like? Will the UK survive a possible Scottish vote to leave? Who will step up and take command of Europe now that Angela Merkel is out of the spotlight?
China’s Role in Africa
March 24 | 12:00pm
Motolani Agbebi
University Instructor, Tampere University
The Covid-19 crisis has put a massive strain on what was growing a positive economic and political relationship between China and the continent of Africa. As Chinese President Xi Jinping’s centerpiece “Belt and Road initiative” continues to expand Chinese power, the response to the spread of Covid-19, as well as the African government’s growing debt to China, has seen pushback. What are some of the growing economic and political issues between China and Africa?
Persian Gulf Security Issues
April 7 | 12:00pm
Dr. Elie Abouaoun
Director of Middle East and North Africa Programs at the US Institute of Peace
The Persian Gulf remains tense as the rivalry between the regional powers of Saudi Arabia and Iran continues. Tensions escalated in early 2020 as the United States began to intervene in the Gulf, launching an airstrike that killed two Iranian military commanders. What are the historical influences that have led to these tensions? What role, if any, should the United States play? Is using military force a viable foreign policy option for 2021 and beyond?
Global Supply Chains and National Security
April 21 | 12:00pm
Dr. Jack Buffington
Professor, University of Denver
The shutdown of global supply chains due to the Covid-19 pandemic brought to the fore an issue with the high level of global economic interdependence: what happens when one country is the main source for an item, say face masks, and then can no longer supply the item? Countries suddenly unable to meet the demand for certain supplies are faced with growing calls for economic nationalism. What are some of the lasting effects that the pandemic could have on global supply chains and trade? How would this affect national security?
Struggles Over the Melting Arctic
May 5 | 12:00pm
Marisol Maddox
Arctic Analyst, Polar Institute, Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars
U.S. President Donald Trump left many scratching their heads when it was rumored that he was looking to purchase the large island nation of Greenland from Denmark. While any potential deal seems highly unlikely, the event shows the changing opinion within the U.S. government toward engagement with the Arctic region. Because of climate change, large sheets of arctic ice are melting, exposing vast stores of natural gas and oil. With Russia and China already miles ahead with their Arctic strategies, can the U.S. catch up?
The End of Globalization?
May 19 | 12:00pm
Abraham Newman
Professor of Government at the Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University
As the United States enters another election season, the merits and drawbacks of globalization are again being debated by the presidential candidates. With the passing of the Brexit vote and Donald Trump’s America First doctrine, protectionist policies have become more prevalent, challenging globalization. What is globalization and how will it be affected by protectionist trade policies? How will the United States and the world be affected by such policies? Is globalization really at an end, or in need of a refresh?
Moderator
Denise Johnson
Vice-Chair of VCWA Board of Directors and Former Justice on Vermont Supreme Court