Great Decisions Foreign Policy Study

Opportunity to Discuss Current Foreign Policy Challenges

and Global Issues

Great Decisions 2008:  Our Aldersgate foreign policy discussion group will be starting up again in February for our 21^st year.  Everyone is invited to join us as we study and discuss eight current foreign policy topics as part of a nation-wide educational program produced by the Foreign Policy Association.

In an election year, it’s especially important to be well informed about foreign policy challenges and global issues as we prepare to select new leaders who will determine the direction of our nation’s foreign policy for at least the next four years.  Our topics for 2008 are very timely:

Iraq: What is the end-game for the war, and how would continued U.S. engagement affect Iraq itself and rest of the Middle East?

Russia: As Vladimir Putin works to remake Russia as a major independent power, some of his policies provoke concern in the U.S. and Europe.

U.S. defense and security policy:  What should be our priorities and how should our forces be structured and deployed to meet future challenges? 

European Union at 50:  This great experiment in European integration is reaching its 50th anniversary, so it’s time to take stock of the United Europe.  

U.S.-China trade policy:  Recent product safety scares have thrown the spotlight on the enormous role China plays in supplying products to the U.S.

Latin America:  What has kept the U.S. from forging stronger relationships with Latin American countries, and how can we provide an alternative to the influence of left-leaning leaders like Hugo Chavez?

Talking to our enemies:  Success in dealing with difficult international situations often depends on how we engage our enemies, as well as our allies.

Private philanthropy:  Can private donors like Warren Buffet or Bill and Melinda Gates be more effective than governments in tackling world problems?

Everyone is welcome. You don’t have to be an expert to participate.  Come for individual sessions, if you don’t have time for the whole program.  And invite your friends and neighbors.  Discussions are often lively, but always in the spirit of shalom (friendly).

An organizational meeting will be Sunday, February 10 at 7:30 p.m. in Room 132 of Shepherd Hall.  Discussion sessions will be Sunday evenings from February 24 to April 27.  For more information or to reserve a study guide, contact Howard Soroos at  howard@soroos.net