Great Decisions at the Bainbridge Public Library Begins Another Season on February 1 with Six Foreign Policy Discussions on Tap

It’s back for another year. Beginning February 1, the community is invited to learn about and weigh in “on six of the most important foreign policy issues facing the United States today,” says Kathleen Thorne, co-coordinator of Great Decisions at the Library. This season’s line-up includes:

February 1. Ukraine and the Future of European Security. Moderator: John Koenig, retired Deputy Permanent Representative to the U.S. Mission at NATO. With reduced U.S. support for NATO and Ukraine, Europe faces strategic uncertainty. The Trump administration has signaled an intention to reduce its security role in Europe. What are America’s stakes in NATO and Europe’s strategic dilemmas, and how might Europe respond?

February 15. U.S.-China Relations. Moderator: Phil Wall, Affiliate Professor of International Studies and retired U.S. Foreign Service diplomat. Relations with China remain tense, with tariffs, military modernization, and pressure on Taiwan. Does Trump have a coherent China policy, and will his tariffs on Rare Earth minerals be effective? What are America’s strategic options?

February 22. Rainbow Nation: Can South Africa Revive Its Goal of a Nonracial Democracy? Moderator: Terence McNamee, senior fellow at the Montreal Institute for Global Security. South Africa is struggling to reclaim the world-inspiring ideals of its post-apartheid founding. But its efforts to repairthe country’s battered reputation, fix its broken economy, and restore public trust are unlikely to succeed unless tethered to the same unifying vision that helped South Africa avoid the abyss in the early 1990s.

March 8. Ruptured Alliances and the Risk of Nuclear Proliferation. Moderator: Seth Weinberger, Chair of the Department of Politics & Government, University of Puget Sound. U.S. alliance skepticism may drive countries like Japan and South Korea to reconsider nuclear options. What are the implications of the Trump administration’s rethinking of the U.S. alliance system for regional and global security? Will this new uncertainty alter the way allies and rivals in various regions make decisions about security and nuclear weapons?

March 15. The Future of Human Rights and International Law. Moderator: Kenneth Roth, retired Executive Director of Human Rights Watch. As democracy and human rights retreat globally—and the U.S. pulls back—how can civil society and legal norms remain effective in a divided world? What is the role and force of international law in this era of impunity?

March 22. America and the World: Trump 2.0 Foreign Policy. Moderator: David Fenner, affiliate faculty member, U.W. Jackson School of International Studies. Trump’s return has marked a break from 80 years of U.S. foreign policy leadership, embracing an “America First” approach. This discussion explores the risks of isolation and diminished influence in relation to Trump 2.0 foreign policy.

The lively discussions take place from 2 – 3:30 p.m. at the Bainbridge Public Library. All events are free, with donations appreciated. Refreshments are provided.

Now in its 20th campaign, Great Decisions at the Library is part of a nation-wide, non-partisan program of the Foreign Policy Association intended to broaden public involvement in foreign affairs. While enjoying refreshments, Great Decisions at the Library participants first view a 25-minute Foreign Policy Association video on the topic under consideration and then engage in a discussion led by an informed moderator. A Briefing Book, published by the Foreign Policy Association, is also available.

Visit the Bainbridge Public Library website, BainbridgePublicLibrary.org, for more details about this year’s topics and guest moderators and for any date changes.

As part of Library U, the Bainbridge Public Library’s lifelong learning program, Great Decisions at the Library is sponsored by the Bainbridge Public Library with funding support from the Bainbridge Island Friends of the Library, the Bainbridge Community Foundation, and a generous donation from the family of Louise Brody Weissman.

Email GreatDecisionsBainbridge@gmail.com to be added to the mailing list for suggested background readings on the topics and other information about Great Decisions at the Library. The readings are also posted on the Bainbridge Public Library’s website about a week before each discussion.

Copies of the Briefing Book can be purchased from the Foreign Policy Association at www.fpa.org. A copy is also available for reading in the library.

GREAT DECISIONS AT THE LIBRARY

Sundays, February 1 – March 22

2 – 3:30 p.m. at the Bainbridge Public Library

1270 Madison Ave. N., Bainbridge Island

Free, with donations welcome

Refreshments provided!

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