Topic Description: Trump& rsquo\;s return has marked a break from 80 years of U.S. foreign policy le adership\, embracing an &ldquo\;America First&rdquo\; approach. This topic explores the risks of isolation and diminished influence in relation to T rump 2.0 foreign policy.
\nFacilitator: \;Patri ck Connell is a career member of the United States Senior Foreign Service. He has served as the Senior Diplomatic Fellow at UNF since August 2024\, where he teaches foreign affairs\, international relations\, and global ho tspots. \;Previously\, he was the Senior Advisor to the Special Envoy to Northern Ireland for Economic Affairs and before that was the Charg&eac ute\; d&rsquo\;Affaires\, \;ad interim\, at the U.S. Embassy to the Ho ly See from January 2021 to April 2022 and Deputy Chief of Mission beginni ng July 2020. Prior to the Vatican\, Mr. Connell led a team of diplomats\, USAID officers\, and U.S. Army Special Operations Forces inside Syria.
\nEarlier assignments include as the Political and Economic Counselor at the U.S. Embassy in Nicosia\, Cyprus\; the Senior United Kingdom and Ir eland Desk Officer at the State Department in Washington\, D.C.\; a Politi cal Officer at the U.S. Mission to the Organization for Security and Coope ration in Europe\; a Political-Military Officer at the U.S. Embassy in Bag hdad\, Iraq\; the Human Rights Officer at the U.S. Embassy in Athens\, Gre ece\; a Consular Officer and Political-Economic Officer at the U.S. Consul ate General in Melbourne\, Australia\; and as an Assistant Public Affairs Officer at the then U.S. Office in Pristina\, Kosovo. \; \; Before joining the State Department\, Mr. Connell was a practicing attorney who served as a state prosecutor. \;
\nMr. Connell holds a Bachelor of Arts in Religious Studies and English from Villanova University and a J uris Doctor from Villanova University School of Law. \;
\nGreat Decisions is America's lar gest discussion program on world affairs. The program model involves readi ng the Great Decisions Briefing Book (optional)\, and meeting in a discuss ion group to discuss critical global issues facing America today. Each mee ting begins with a video lecture on the discussion topic presented by Jeff rey S. Morton\, the Pierrepont Comfort Chair in Political Science at Flori da Atlantic University and a Fellow at the Foreign Policy Association and is followed by facilitator commentary and facilitator-led discussion. \;
\n\nRegistration is required for this event\, and must be completed two hours prior to the start time. A library card and PIN is req uired for registration. If you do not have a card\, click HERE to obtain one.\n
All registered seats will be forfeited at 6:55pm and made available to waitlisted and walk-in attendees. Registered attendees arriving after this time will be seated if seats are available.
\nPursuant to the A mericans with Disabilities Act\, accommodations for persons with disabilit ies are available upon request. Please allow 1&ndash\;2 business days to p rocess. Last-minute requests will be accepted\, but may not be possible to fulfill. Please ask for Learning Services at 255-2665 or email JPLProgram s@coj.net.
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