In the Community

Events

Get connected to our special community events.

Great Decisions Speaker Series and Discussion Group – Starts January 29, 2008
Foreign Policy Association's world affairs lecture series, an eight-week program featuring speakers discussing major global issues in the world today. A discussion group, facilitated by Rob Stone and Carl Bodon, will take place on the Thursdays immediately following each of speakers.

Click here to register online or call 760-776-7420 for more information.

Iraq: end–game – January 29th, 2008
A recurring question found in most public opinion polls and on the 2008 presidential campaign trail:  What will be the end-game for the U.S. in Iraq? How will U.S. decisions about continued engagement affect Iraq itself, and the Middle East?

Speaker: Harold Meyerson, the Executive Editor of The American Prospect

The European Union at 50 – February 5th, 2008
Having reached the 50th anniversary of the great experiment in European integration, it is time to take stock of the united Europe.  Has the integration of new members been successful? What does the debate on Turkey's membership say about the future of EU integration and its changing demographics?

Speaker: Dr. Christian Soe, Professor Emeritus of Political Science at California State University, Long Beach

Talking to our Enemies – February 12th, 2008
How the U.S. deals with international challenges often depends on how it engages with allies, as well as enemies.  How should the U.S. deal with countries like Cuba, North Korea and Iran?  What approach should the U.S. take with groups like Hamas and Hezbollah?

Speaker: John Dean, former White House counsel and author of Broken Government: How Republican Rule Destroyed the Executive, Judicial and Legislative Branches

Russia – February 19th, 2008
During his two terms as president, Vladimir Putin has attempted to remake Russia into a major, independent world power.  Some of his recent policies have provoked concern in the U.S. and Europe.  With a 2008 Russian presidential election expected, what course will Russia take?

Speaker: Max Riedlsperger, a professor emeritus at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo and an expert on Russian history

U. S. Defense and Security Policy – February 26th, 2008
The U.S. military is adopting new policies and methods for defending the U.S. and its interests abroad.  What should U.S. priorities be? How should its forces be structured and deployed to meet new security challenges?

Speaker: Marc Cooper, a professor at USC and a writer for The Nation magazine

Latin America – March 4th, 2008
What factors have prevented the U.S. and Latin American countries from forging a strong relationship?  What challenges confront U.S. policy in Latin America?  Can the U.S. offer an alternative to the influence of left-leaning leaders like Venezuela’s Hugo Chavez?

Speaker: Ruben Martinez, a professor of Literature at Loyola Marymount University and an expert on contemporary Latin American issues like immigration

U. S. - China Trade Policy – March 11th, 2008
Recent product safety scares have thrown the spotlight on the enormous role China plays in supplying products to the U.S.  Could the large and growing trade imbalance with China have an adverse effect on the U.S. economy?  What role does the undervalued Chinese currency play?

Speaker: Dr. Arthur Rosenbaum, Professor at Claremont McKenna College

Private Philanthropy – March 18th, 2008
Billionaire Warren Buffet's June 2007 pledge to the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation prompted headlines about the size of the gift and the impact it could have on global education and health initiatives.  Can private donors be more effective than governments in tackling world problems?

Speaker: Tim Rutten, columnist and book reviewer for the Los Angeles Times