League of Women Voters
of
Montgomery County, Virginia

Topics:

Great Decisions is an annual eight-week, non-partisan program on international affairs prepared by the Foreign Policy Association and sponsored locally by the League. Each week participants read an analysis in a briefing book, watch a DVD in which Foreign Policy Association experts discuss that topic, and then form small groups to discuss the topic themselves.

Participants will meet in the Mary Fessler Community Room of the Blacksburg Public Library on eight Wednesdays starting Jan. 18 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Participants are welcome to bring a bag lunch to eat during the video if they wish.

The program is free and open to the public. The Foreign Policy Association briefing book may be purchased for $18; however, copies also will be on reserve in the Blacksburg and ChristiansburPublic Libraries for in-library use.

Participants need to register in advance so that we know how many people will be taking part in the program and how many briefing books we need to order. To join the group, please contact, as soon as possible, either Nancy Warren (951-1660), cnwarren@aol.com or Jane Sprague (961-1532), janesprague@verizon.net. Additional information is available on the Foreign Policy Association website: http://www.greatdecisions.org.

Middle East realignment by Augustus Richard Norton

The popular revolts and upheaval of the Arab Spring have radically changed the face of the Middle East. What lies ahead for the Middle East’s transition to democracy? What are the prospects for the governments that have held out in this new order? With many longtime U.S. allies ousted, how will the U.S. recalibrate its relations with the new regimes?

Promoting democracy by Larry Diamond

The U.S. has had a history of advancing and supporting democracy around the world. What place does democracy promotion have in U.S. foreign policy today? With a choice of tools ranging from economic aid to military force, what are the appropriate yet effective methods that the U.S. should use to promote democracy?

Mexico by George Grayson

Mexico’s border with Central America, as well as the border it shares with the U.S., has been a pathway for people, goods, crime and contraband in both directions. How can Mexico address these transborder challenges? What is the future of Mexico’s relations with its northern and southern neighbors? How will Mexico’s foreign relations affect its domestic politics?

Cybersecurity by Ronald Deibert

The securitization of cyberspace has caused a sea change for both governments and the private sector, faced with new threats, new battlegrounds and new opportunities. Faced with challenges such as international cybercrime and authoritarian control of networks, how will the U.S. and its democratic allies approach the cyber frontier? How does this new domain figure in U.S. strategic interests?

Exit from Afghanistan and Iraq by Michael E. O’Hanlon

Ten years after September 11, 2001, the U.S. is winding down its military commitment in Iraq and slowly pulling out of Afghanistan. What exit strategy will help Afghanistan and Iraq build stable democratic nations? How can the U.S. continue to achieve its counterterrorism goals? What is the role of the U.S. in the future of the Middle East?

State of the oceans by Sara Tjossem

The world’s oceans are essential to life on earth, and are tremendously sensitive to global climate change. What are the consequences of climate change on oceanic factors like biodiversity, sea levels and extreme weather systems? How can the U.S. and its international partners address the emerging challenges to this shared resource?

Indonesia by James Castle

Having emerged from authoritarianism in the last 15 years, Indonesia has made remarkable strides politically, economically and socially. Yet the new, democratic Indonesia is still a developing country facing considerable challenges. How can Indonesia continue its path of growth, reform and prosperity? What is Indonesia’s role in the global community?

Energy geopolitics by William Sweet

The energy markets have been shaken by the instability of Middle East oil and the vulnerability of nuclear power. Moreover, developing countries like China are becoming bigger energy consumers, while energy producers like Russia see the opportunity to widen their influence. In this changed landscape, how will the U.S.’s energy needs affect its relations with other nations?