Great Decisions\, America&rsquo\;s largest discussion program on world affairs\, meets in the Brooks Room weekly on Wednesdays from 4:00 - 5:30\, February - March.
\nThe Foreign Policy Association has selected eight critical issues facing the country to be t he subjects of conversation. A briefing book is available for participants to read in advance so they can be informed and ready to participate. Part icipants are encouraged to order their briefing books on the association&r squo\;s website\, fpa.org. One copy of the briefing book will be avail able at the Service Desk for in-library reading.
\nRegistrat ion for this series is requested\, not required. Please call the library&n bsp\; at 413-596-6141 to register.
\nHere are the topics fo r 2026:
\nFeb. 4: America and the World: Trump 2.0 Foreign P
olicy
Trump&rsquo\;s return has marked a break from 80 years
of U.S. foreign policy leadership\, embracing an &ldquo\;America First&rd
quo\; approach. This chapter explores the risks of isolation and diminishe
d influence in relation to Trump 2.0 foreign policy.
Feb.
11: Trump Tariffs and the Future of the World Economy
Trump&
rsquo\;s aggressive trade and tariff policies have shaken global economic
norms. What&rsquo\;s the rationale behind this radical shift in economic p
olicy\, and what are the implications for multilateral trade and geopoliti
cs?
Feb. 18: U.S.-China Relations
Relations
with China remain tense\, with tariffs\, military modernization\, and pres
sure on Taiwan. Does Trump have a coherent China policy\, and will his tar
iffs on Rare Earth minerals be effective? What are America&rsquo\;s strate
gic options?
Feb. 25: \;Ruptured Alliances and the Ris
k of Nuclear Proliferation
U.S. alliance skepticism may driv
e countries like Japan and South Korea to reconsider nuclear options. What
are the implications of the Trump administration&rsquo\;s rethinking of t
he U.S. alliance system for regional and global security? Will this new un
certainty alter the way allies and rivals in various regions make decision
s about security and nuclear weapons?
March 4: \;Ukrai
ne and the Future of European Security
With reduced U.S. sup
port for NATO and Ukraine\, Europe faces strategic uncertainty. The Trump
administration has signaled an intention to reduce its security role in Eu
rope. What are America&rsquo\;s stakes in NATO and Europe&rsquo\;s strateg
ic dilemmas\, and how might Europe respond?
March 11: Mult
ilateral Institutions in a Changing World Order
Can multilat
eralism survive amid shifting global power and rising nationalism? This ch
apter examines the future of global cooperation across trade\, health\, an
d finance. (SUBJECT TO CHANGE)
March 18: U.S. Engagement o
f Africa
Africa&rsquo\;s geopolitical role is growing. What
lessons can the U.S. learn from China&rsquo\;s presence there\, and how mi
ght it strengthen ties\, especially with leading nations like Nigeria? Wha
t tools of statecraft might the U.S. bring to its engagement with Africa?<
/p>\n
March 25: The Future of Human Rights and International Law
As democracy and human rights retreat globally&mdash\;and t
he U.S. pulls back&mdash\;how can civil society and legal norms remain eff
ective in a divided world? What is the role and force of international law
in this era of impunity?
April 1 is reserved for sessions r
escheduled due to inclement weather.