Great Decisions

League of Women Voters^®
of the Midland Area

The Great Decisions program is a series of discussions on current international issues based on materials from the Foreign Policy Association.

General Information. Topics. Discussion Groups.

General Information

GREAT DECISIONS 2012
The Great Decisions discussion series uses materials developed by the Foreign Policy Association, a national nonprofit, nonpartisan organization formed in 1918 to promote understanding of international affairs. Learning materials include a briefing book and a videotape set. Tapes are usually broadcast on the local cable access channel.

Topics for 2012

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?b> Since the early 1990s, the U.S. has monitored the Horn of Africa due to security concerns. Internal instability, weak governments in some countries, regional rivalries and a lack of development have resulted in an environment conducive to terrorism. Can the U.S. protect its national interests while mitigating the dangerous conditions in the region?
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 & 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?

Discussion Groups

Listen! Learn! Share!
New members are welcome. You do not have to be a LWV member to join a group.
Become better informed by attending one of the Great Decisions study groups, coordinated locally by the League of Women Voters; It gives us the opportunity to read and hear what the experts have to say about topics we may be quite unfamiliar with. The books are hot off the press in Nov. so the material is quite up to date. Our groups will begin in mid January. New participants are always welcome.
For further in formation call Sandy Burmester 832-3079
Discussion groups are:

Tues. afternoon Deb. Ballard 832-2873

Wed. mornings Bobbi Kennedy 687-6611

Thurs. afternoon Tina Laughner 633-3790

Thurs. evening Jim Falender 687-2456

Comments, suggestions, questions? Contact our webmaster. Last revised: January 10, 2012 07:50 PST.