Prepare to Discuss the World!
Mondays, 5:15 – 6:45 pm
March 2–23
Join America’s largest discussion program on world affairs. Great Decisions helps people understand important issues and talk about them in a friendly, guided setting. Launched in Portland, Oregon, in 1954, the program drew media attention, was adopted by local schools, and soon gained national recognition.
Participants read short articles, watch videos, and discuss global topics like politics, economics, and culture. A reference copy of the Great Decisions 2026 Briefing Book is available to view and copy in the library, and another is available for short-term loan. You can also get the Great Decisions FREE Briefing eBook through Libby. You may purchase your own Briefing Book for $35 through the Foreign Policy Association website.
Great Decisions at the Jefferson County Library has been facilitated since 2013 by Joyce Francis, Ph.D. Joyce taught International Relations at George Mason, Tulane, and American University before moving to the Olympic Peninsula. For further information about the Great Decisions 2026 program, contact Dr. Joyce Francis.
Discussion Topics
March 2—America and the World: Trump 2.0 Foreign Policy
Explore the move away from 80 years of traditional foreign policy towards a more isolationist "America First" strategy.
March 9—Ruptured Alliances and the Risk of Nuclear Proliferation
Discuss how reduced U.S. commitment to alliances might prompt allies like South Korea and Japan to seek their own nuclear weapons.
March 16—Ukraine and the Future of European Security
Examine the implications of reduced U.S. support for NATO and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
March 23—Multilateral Institutions in a Changing World
Assess the relevance of global institutions (UN, WHO, etc.) in a time of rising nationalism.
This program series is co-sponsored by the Salish Sea Fellowship’s Adult Learning Program.