Barb Schaepe
SaddleBrooke Great Decisions announces its 2025 foreign policy and world affairs-focused programs. Meetings are scheduled for eight Monday afternoons in the MountainView East Ballroom from January through April. Dates, times, and topics follow, but watch for a notice in case of changes due to room availability. Note that the Jan. 13 and Feb. 10 meetings start at 4 p.m. rather than 3 p.m.
Jan. 13, 4 to 5:30 p.m., International Cooperation on Climate Change. The 2015 Paris Agreement established a UN-sponsored framework for climate change negotiations. In subsequent meetings, experts and political leaders sought common action. What have these efforts yielded and what is their future?
Jan. 20, 3 to 5 p.m., U.S. Changing Leadership of the World Economy. Discussion leader: Hara Lipman. For most of the postwar era, U.S. global economic leadership focused on cooperative agendas. What are America’s future options and opportunities as a leader of the world economy?
Feb. 3, 3 to 5 p.m., U.S.–China Relations. Discussion leader: Boyd Bosma. Both American political parties identify China as the country’s preeminent geopolitical challenger. What is driving the deterioration of Sino-American relations and what are America’s strategic options?
Feb. 10, 4 to 5:30 p.m., American Foreign Policy at a Crossroads. An exploration of the contours of the U.S. foreign policy debate as it plays out, given multiple and escalating crises and domestic polarization.
Feb. 24, 3 to 5 p.m., The Future of NATO and European Security. Discussion leader: Mark Schwartz. European security is more uncertain than it has been for decades. What are Europe’s options, and how might developments in Ukraine and America impact its choices? What are America’s stakes in NATO and Europe’s strategic dilemmas?
March 3, 3 to 5 p.m., AI and American National Security. Discussion leader: Mary Lou Soffa. The AI revolution is the leading edge of a larger high-tech revolution. What are key policy debates in this area, and what are opportunities and limits on global AI rules? What are policy options to secure AI’s benefits and guard against its dangers?
March 17, 3 to 5 p.m., India: Between China and the Global South. Discussion leader: John Sohikian. India’s population size, economy, and geopolitical location ensures that it will be an influential voice in debates and political struggles over global order. What are its choices and opportunities for regional and global leadership? How can Washington work with India?
April 7, 3 to 5 p.m., After Gaza: American Policy in the Middle East. Discussion leader: Sandy McNabb. The Gaza war has brought the region to a crossroads. What are possible outcomes of the war, and how might the United States use its influence to shape a long-term settlement that leaves both Israel and the Palestinians in a better position?
Meetings include viewing a Foreign Policy Association documentary film with context provided by a Great Decisions member, discussing issues in small groups, and sharing group insights. Beforehand, members can read a subject overview in the briefing book published by the Foreign Policy Association. Annual dues are $5, payable at the first meeting.
Further information is on the SaddleBrooke Great Decisions website at www.sbgreatdecisions.wordpress.com. The Foreign Policy Association’s website is www.fpa.org.