Barb Schaepe
International Cooperation on Climate Change was the topic of SaddleBrooke Great Decisions’ first meeting of its 2025 season on Jan. 13. Seven additional meetings focusing on topics related to foreign policy and world affairs are planned for Monday afternoons through April. Returning and new members can pay their $5 per year dues and fill out the membership form at the Jan. 20 meeting if they’ve not already done so. Dates, times, and topics of 2025 meetings, which are held in the Mountainview East ballroom, are listed below, but watch for a notice in case of changes due to room availability.
Jan. 20 from 3 to 5 p.m.: U.S. Changing Leadership of the World Economy
Presenter: 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 from 3 to 5 p.m.: U.S.–China Relations
Presenter: 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 from 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 from 3 to 5 p.m.: The Future of NATO and European Security
March 3 from 3 to 5 p.m.: AI and American National Security
March 17 from 3 to 5 p.m.: India: Between China and the Global South
April 7 from 3 to 5 p.m.: After Gaza: American Policy in the Middle East
The meeting format consists of viewing a Foreign Policy Association documentary film with context provided by a Great Decisions presenter, 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. For new members, the Foreign Policy Association-produced briefing book can be ordered on the Tucson Great Decisions website at tgda.org in the “Materials” section.
Further information, including dates and topics, is on the SaddleBrooke Great Decisions website at www.sbgreatdecisions.wordpress.com. The Foreign Policy Association’s website is www.fpa.org.