Sandy Epstein
Great Decisions is gearing up for its 2026 season. Eight different areas have been chosen by the Foreign Policy Association (FPA) for study this year. SaddleBrooke’s Great Decisions meetings are held on eight Mondays between January and April. Specific dates will be announced once they are confirmed. We usually meet from 3 to 5 p.m. in the East Ballroom at the MountainView clubhouse. We are in the process of creating this year’s schedule. Watch for this article in the January issue for a list of meeting topics and dates.
Great Decisions welcomes new members. If you are interested in joining, it’s highly suggested that you purchase the briefing book. The book has eight chapters corresponding to each year’s topics. The essays are written by nationally known personalities from the federal or academic arena. Each article concludes with questions and further resources. If you are not yet a member and want to order a book, email Barb Schaepe. You will be notified in early January about when and where to pick up your book. Barb’s email is barbschaepe@gmail.com. The cost of the book is $32. If you are already a member, you should have received an email instructing you about how to purchase your briefing book.
At each meeting, members watch a video “Master Class” prepared by the FPA to help deepen understanding of the topic. This year there is also an introductory video giving an overview of the eight focused topics for 2026. It can be previewed at vimeo.com/ondemand/gd26.
We are still in need of leaders for three topics:
U.S.-China Relations: Relations with China remain tense. Does Trump have a coherent China policy, and will his tariffs on rare-earth minerals be effective?
Multilateral Institutions in a Changing World Order: Can multilateralism survive amid shifting global power and rising nationalism?
U.S. Engagement of Africa: Africa’s geopolitical role is growing. What lessons can the U.S. learn from China’s presence there?
If you have either an expertise or interest in learning more about one of these topics, you can become a leader and help in one of two ways: by creating a 10- to 20-minute presentation or by introducing three or four questions, selected and perhaps modified from the briefing book, for our small-group discussion. Let Barb Schaepe know if you are interested in being a leader.
Other topics to be thinking about before our meetings begin are as follows:
America and the World: Trump 2.0 Foreign Policy
Trump Tariffs and the Future of the World Economy
Ruptured Alliances and the Risk of Nuclear Proliferation
Ukraine and the Future of European Security
The Future of Human Rights and International Law
For additional information about Great Decisions, go to either of these websites:
SaddleBrooke Great Decisions, www.sbgreatdecisions.wordpress.com
Foreign Policy Association, www.fpa.org