Submitted by San Juan Island Library

The library is pleased to announce a free new series beginning at 7 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 27, based on the Foreign Policy Association’s Great Decisions program. Great Decisions is America’s largest discussion program on world affairs and highlights eight critical foreign policy challenges facing Americans each year. In libraries across the country, Great Decisions discussion group participants discuss and debate each issue and complete a national opinion ballot to communicate their views to Congress and the White House. Supported by the Foreign Policy Association for over 50 years, Great Decisions involves citizens in the foreign policymaking process.

The Foreign Policy Association is an independent nonprofit organization dedicated to broadening public involvement with the most important foreign policy issues facing the United States. Each year, thousands take part in the Great Decisions discussion groups around the country to increase their awareness and understanding of U.S. foreign policy concerns.

The annual series features a DVD on each topic, followed by a moderated discussion among the participants. Participants are encouraged to review the relevant chapter of the Great Decisions briefing book, a limited number of which are available from the library.

San Juan Islander Roger Morris will be our discussion moderator. He is the author of several critically acclaimed books on American politics, including “Richard Milhous Nixon: The Rise of an American Politician, 1913-1952,” and “Partners in Power: The Clintons and Their America.” Roger holds a doctorate in government from Harvard, served in the United States Foreign Service; on the White House Staff; and on the Senior Staff of the National Security Council under Presidents Lyndon Johnson and Richard Nixon. He brings many years of experience in statecraft and the American political process to the role of moderator.

GREAT DECISIONS TOPICS 2020: Mark Your Calendars!

• Jan. 27: Climate Change and the Global Order.

• Feb. 24: India and Pakistan.

• March 23: Red Sea Security.

• April 27: Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking.

• Sep. 28: U.S. Relations with the Northern Triangle.

• Oct. 26: China’s Road into Latin America.

• Nov. 23: The Philippines and the United States.

• Dec. 28: Artificial Intelligence and Data.

Civil, non-divisive discussions only. Registration is not required. For more information, please contact the library at 360-378-2798 or visit https://www.sjlib.org/great-decisions-2020/.