Sandy Epstein
The first two 2026 Great Decisions meetings will be held on Jan. 19 and Feb. 2. Meeting information is listed below. New members will be able to pay their $5 a year dues and fill out the membership form then. Returning members can pay dues at the meetings or when picking up their pre-ordered Great Decisions Briefing Books.
Jan. 19 in the East Ballroom at 3 p.m. Multilateral Institutions in a Changing World Order. Presenter: TBD. Can multilateralism survive amid shifting global power and rising nationalism? This chapter examines the future of global cooperation across trade, health, and finance.
Feb. 2 in the West Ballroom at 3 p.m. Trump Tariffs and the Future of the World Economy. Presenter: Hara Lipman. What’s the rationale behind Trump’s aggressive trade and tariff policies, and what are the implications for multilateral trade and geopolitics?
Feb. 9 in the West Ballroom at 3 p.m. America and the World: Trump 2.0 Foreign Policy. Presenter: John Sohikian. This chapter explores the risks of isolation and diminished influence in relation to Trump 2.0 foreign policy.
Feb. 23 in the Catalina Room at 3 p.m. U.S.-China Relations. Presenter: TBD. Does Trump have a coherent China policy, and will his tariffs on rare-earth minerals be effective? What are America’s strategic options?
March 9 in the West Ballroom at 3 p.m. Ruptured Alliances and the Risk of Nuclear Proliferation. Presenter: Lockwood Carlson. U.S. alliance skepticism may drive countries like Japan and South Korea to reconsider nuclear options. What are the implications of the Trump administration’s rethinking of the U.S. alliance system for regional and global security? Will this new uncertainty alter the way allies and rivals in various regions make decisions about security and nuclear weapons?
March 23 in the West Ballroom at 3 p.m. Ukraine and the Future of European Security. Presenter: Mark Schwartz. The Trump administration has signaled an intention to reduce its security role in Europe. What are America’s stakes in NATO and Europe’s strategic dilemmas, and how might Europe respond?
March 30 in the East Ballroom at 3 p.m. The Future of Human Rights and International Law. Presenter: Mel Durchshlag. As democracy and human rights retreat globally—and the U.S. pulls back—how can civil society and legal norms remain effective in a divided world? What is the role and force of international law in this era of impunity?
April 13 at 3 p.m. (Room TBD). U.S. Engagement of Africa. Presenter: TBD. What lessons can the U.S. learn from China’s presence in Africa, and how might it strengthen ties, especially with leading nations like Nigeria? What tools of statecraft might the U.S. bring to its engagement with Africa?
Meetings include viewing a Foreign Policy Association documentary film after a presenter’s introduction and small groups discussions and sharing. Beforehand, members can read an overview in the Briefing Book published by the FPA. New members can order the book from the Tucson Great Decisions website tgda.org in the “Materials” section.
Always check our website at www.greatdecisions.wordpress.com for changes in the meeting schedule. Contact Barb Schaepe at barbschaepe@gmail.com to answer any other questions you may have. The Foreign Policy Association’s website is www.fpa.org.