Great Decisions 2020 All you news junkies and foreign affairs addicts who want to talk about something beyond the U.S. presidency, this is your chance!! The Great Decisions discussion series sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Winnetka-Northfield-Kenilworth, in cooperation with the Winnetka Northfield Library District will again meet at 12:30-2:30 every Monday afterrnoon in February and March at the Winnetka branch to talk about important current foreign relations issues. Study guides will be available for loan at the Winnetka and Northfield libraries or for purchase for $23 from study group chair, Joan Fragen; call or email for more information, at 847 446-0184 or joanfragen [at] gmail.com Everyone reads the short 20ish-page background article in the study guide before each week’s discussion and some people will find additional articles in current newspapers or other publications. Each meeting begins with a brief video updating the topic and launching the discussion. Participants take turns leading the weekly discussion or bringing treats to stimulate thinking.
Meetings take place at the Winnetka Public Library. Starting Monday 2/3 at WPL at 12:30-2:30 every Monday for 8 weeks.
Climate Change and the Global Order by Ronald Bee 2/3 12:30
Climate change has become one of the defining issues of our time. As much of the world bands together to come up with a plan, the U.S. remains the notable holdout. What is the rest of the world doing to combat climate change? What impact will the effects of climate change have on global geopolitics?
India and Pakistan by Barbara Crossette 2/10 12:30
India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi rode a wave of Hindu nationalism to a historic reelection in 2019. His first order of business was to revoke the special status granted to the Kashmir region, inflaming the rivalry between India and Pakistan. How will the Kashmir situation affect the region, both economically and politically?
Red Sea Security by David Shinn 2/17 12:30
The Red Sea has remained vital for global trade since the time of ancient Egypt. Once home to the spice trade, the Red Sea now sees millions of barrels of oil a day transported across its waters. With major nations like China, France, Italy, and the U.S. building large ports and bases in the region, what does the future of the region look like? How important is Red Sea security for global security? Can the region be a place of global cooperation?
Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking by Ronald Weitzer 2/24 12:30
Almost every nation has enacted laws criminalizing human trafficking, and international organizations, governments, and NGOs sponsor a large variety of projects to curb trafficking and slavery. Billions of dollars have been allocated to these efforts. What is the international community doing to combat slavery and trafficking? What are the experiences like for those being trafficked?
U.S. Relations with the Northern Triangle by Michael Shifter and Bruno Binetti 3/2 12:30
Combatting illegal immigration has become a priority of the Trump administration. The Northern Triangle of Central America, made up of Honduras, El Salvador, and Guatemala, is a special target of the administration, which hold the nations responsible for the large flow of migrants from Latin America to the U.S. With funds from the U.S. cut, how can the Northern Triangle countries curtail migration?
China’s Road into Latin America by Margaret Myers 3/9 12:30
As the Trump administration continues to withdraw from the world stage, China is looking to fill the void. How does Latin America fit into China’s “One Belt, One Road” plan? How will the relationship with China affect the region? Should the U.S. be concerned about China’s growing “sphere of influence?”
The Philippines and the U.S. by Julio Amador and Deryk Matthew N. Baladjay 3/16 12:30
The Philippines has had a special relationship with the United States since the islands were ceded by Spain to the United States after the Spanish-American War at the end of the 19th century. However, since the election of Rodrigo Duterte, the country has pivoted more toward China, and away from the U.S. Duterte has also launched a large-scale war on drugs that many criticize for its brutality. What does the future hold for U.S, relations with the Philippines?
Artificial Intelligence and Data by Susan Ariel Aaronson 3/23 12:30--Cancelled
Policymakers in many countries are developing plans and funding research in artificial intelligence (AI). Global growth is slowing, and not surprisingly, many policymakers hope that AI will provide a magic solution. The EU, Brazil, and other Western countries have adopted regulations that grant users greater control over their data and require that firms using AI be transparent about how they use it. Will the U.S. follow suit?
