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Great Decisions

Topics Vary by Week!

A lively weekly discussion series with various topics: 4/6 Outer Space Policy 4/13 Renewed Climate Change Agenda 4/20 Putin's Russia 4/27 Myanmar's Never-ending Crisis 5/4 Xi's China Takes on the Quad 5/11 A Century of Drug Wars 5/18 Foreign Policy, Economic Power & US Industrial Policy 5/25 Biden's Foreign Policy in the Age of Strategic Competition 6/1 Changing Demographics in the World

4/6/2022  Great Decisions: Outer Space Policy
Discussion about the space era and of the space race between the United States and the Soviet Union. In the 21st century, there are many more participants in space, including countries such as India and China, and commercial companies such as SpaceX. How will the United States fare in a crowded outer space?

4/13/2022 Great Decisions: Renewed Climate Change Agenda
Discussion about the ideological divide in the United States on the subject of climate change has impeded progress in curbing greenhouse emissions. But extreme weather events at both ends of the thermometer have focused attention on the consequences of inaction. What role will the United States play in future negotiations on climate?

4/20/2022 Great Decisions: Putin's Russia
Discussion about the many areas of conflict and some possible areas of mutual interest between Russia and the United States. Arms control, Russian interference in U.S. elections and support of cyberattacks, the status of Ukraine, the fate of opposition politicians in Russia, all continue to be concerning. How will the new administration in Washington approach these issues?

4/27/2022 Great Decisions: Myanmar's Never-ending Crisis
Discussion about the situation in Myanmar, including the coup by the military in February 2021 and the ongoing human rights crises, coupled with civil resistance by those opposed to the regime, has led to the chaos in the Southeast Asian country. How are neighboring countries reacting, and what role will ASEAN play?

5/4/2022 Great Decisions: Xi's China Takes on the Quad
Discussion about the United States pivoting towards Japan, Australia, and India in an effort to contain China. Recently, the Quad countries held joint naval exercises in the South Pacific. How effective will the actions of this alliance be?

5/11/2022 Great Decisions: A Century of Drug Wars
Discussion about how migration to the United States from Latin America has overshadowed the war on drugs, which has been underway for decades with little signs of progress. What are the roots and the bureaucratic logic behind today's dominant drug policies in Latin America? Is it time to reconsider punitive drug policies that disrupt supply chains and punish drug possession

5/18/2022 Great Decisions: Foreign Policy, Economic Power & US Industrial Policy
Discussion about the current state of industrial policy in the United States is not simply about whether or not to support specific companies or industries, but about trust or mistrust of the government and its ability to manage the economy and deal with a rising China. The upheaval in supply chains during the pandemic exposed weaknesses in the international economy. What policies can the United States implement to deal with trade and the economy?

5/25/2022 Great Decisions: Biden's Foreign Policy in the Age of Strategic Competition
Discussion about how the new administration in Washington promised to reverse many of the policies of the past administration, especially in foreign policy. How will issues such as climate, the pandemic, and alliances be treated under the Biden administration?
 
6/1/2022 Great Decisions: Changing Demographics in the World
Discussion about how the world experienced remarkable demographic changes in the 20th century that continue today and have resulted in far-reaching social, economic, political, and environmental consequences all over the globe. These consequences are creating mounting challenges to development efforts, security, the environment, as well as the sustainability of human populations.