International Relations/Great Decisions Group

There has been a continuing and active interest by League members in United States foreign policy. The International Relations group meets the last Monday of the month to discuss subjects selected from the Great Decisions series, published by the Foreign Policy Association.  The meeting place is 4340 Redwood Highway, San Rafael, Suite 138.  (From the South, turn off at Terra Linda, go north on the easter frontage road.  Turn right at the five tall Palm trees.)

WE WELCOME NEW MEMBERS

 Join us at our meetings where some participants choose a topic on which they will give a short presentation and lead a discussion. The following are the 2012 Topic Descriptions - GREAT DECISIONS

Marin County League of Women Voters IR/Great Decisions Topics for 2012

our discussion topics, go to the web site www.fpa.org or 800 477 5836, cost $20.)

 Middle East Reallignment 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?

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 trans-border 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?

January 2012 Program

Topic: Insights on Afghanistan

January 30^th, 11:30 for conversation and coffee; Program begins at noon

 The speaker will be Marsha D. MacColl, board member of Afghans4Tomorrow.

Marsha will discuss such topics as “What risks are Afghan women taking to go to school, work, serve in their government, vote, and to help bring peace to their country?  How can we and others help?  She will share photos, stories, and first-hand experiences working with the people of Kabul.  Discussion and questions will follow.

How the Group Functions.  This is a small, informal group consisting of people who are interested in world affairs, want to share their views with others, and who want to be better informed.  We use the Foreign Policy Association’s materials and urge each participant to purchase the annual book of Great Decisions Articles. 

The Foreign Policy Association is a non-partisan group, as is the LWV.  They have an excellent web site (fpa.org), which explains their history and focus and includes updates on topics in the Great Decisions  book.  (Books can be purchased online at www.fpa.org)

 If you enjoy participating, we hope you will become a member of the Marin League.

Meeting Schedule and Structure   Unless we have a special speaker, this is how the meeting progresses:

 11:30-noon      Pre-meeting coffee and conversation. If some “hot” foreign issue has emerged, this is a good time to share views.  Many members bring a small lunch or snack. 

 12:00-12:15     Announcements from the group chairperson and others

 12:15-12:45     Great Decisions Video.   During this segment of the meeting we show one program from the “Great Decisions in Foreign Policy” Video.  This program is a part of a televised series, recently recommended by the New York Times.  Each program frames the most important foreign policy questions relevant to the topic to be discussed.  It them turns to experts and Americans in four cities to address the questions.

 12:45-1:30       Individual Presentation on the meeting’s topic.  Usually, the focus of thepresentation is connected to the Great Decision article which we will have all read as well as the video which we will have just viewed.

 Group Discussion.  The presenter leads a group discussion on her presentation and/or the video and Great Decisions article. We also try to give our views on the policy questions posed by the foreign policy Association.  They urge us to send our opinions to them.