Tyler

The Great Decisions discussion series will kick off at noon on Wednesday, Jan. 16 at the Tyler Public Library. Each of the eight weekly meetings will address a current foreign policy topic, with one or more experts on the subject leading the discussions.

The series is part of a national effort launched in 1954 by the Foreign Policy Association. In Tyler, the event is sponsored by the American Association of University Women - Tyler Branch, the League of Women Voters of Tyler/Smith County and the Tyler Public Library.

Dr. Robert Sterken, associate professor of political science at The University of Texas at Tyler, serves as chair of the Great Decisions steering committee.

To add depth to the discussions, the FPA prepares a national briefing book containing historical background, current U.S. policy and alternative policy options, informative maps and graphs, suggested readings and resources, as well as essays by national and international experts about each of the eight topics. These books will be available for sale in the Tyler Public Library just before the first discussion group convenes.

The briefing book also provides opinion ballots for each topic. The local sponsors collect and submit the ballots to the FPA, which in turn tallies the ballots from across the nation and prepares the "National Opinion Ballot Report." This publication is then presented to the White House, the State and Defense Departments, members of Congress, and other opinion makers.

It is available through its website, www.fpa.org, to the participants and others.

For more information, call 903-565-6655.

The eight topics for 2008 include the following:

Jan. 16: Latin America: A Shift to the Left? - Dr. Dan Murphree, associate professor of history at UT Tyler. What factors have prevented the U.S. and Latin American countries from forging a stronger relationship? What challenges confront U.S. policy in Latin America? Can the United States offer an alternative to the influence of left-leaning leaders such as Venezuela's Hugo Chavez?

Jan. 23: European Union at 50 - Dr. Marcus Stadelmann, associate professor and chair of political science at UT Tyler. 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?

Jan. 30: Private Philanthropy - Joe Cuthbertson of Pacific Islands Medical Aid (an Edom, Texas-based non-governmental organization), and Dr. Robert Sterken, associate professor of political science at UT Tyler. 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?

Feb. 6: Russia - DVD featuring Strobe Talbott, president, The Brookings Institution; retired General Wesley Clark, former Supreme Allied Commander, NATO; Jessica T. Mathews, president, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace; and John Bruton, ambassador of the European Union to the United States. 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 United States and Europe. With a 2008 Russian presidential election expected, what course will Russia take?

Feb. 13: Defense and Security Policy - Lt. Justin Lee, Army reservist with military service in Afghanistan and Iraq, as well as congressional experience as assistant to U.S. Congressman Jeb Hensarling. The U.S. military is adopting new policies and methods for defending the United States and its interests abroad. What should United States priorities be? How should its forces be structured and deployed to meet new security challenges?

Feb. 20: Talking to Our Enemies - Dr. Michael Colatrella, associate director and senior lecturer, SMU Center for Dispute Resolution and Conflict Management in Plano. How the United States deals with international challenges often depends on how it engages with allies as well as enemies. How should the United States deal with countries such as Cuba, North Korea and Iran? What approaches should the U.S. take with groups like Hamas and Hezbollah?

Feb. 27: U.S.-China Trade Policy - Mr. Scott Myers, vice president of supply chain, Trane Residential Systems. Recent product safety scares have thrown the spotlight on the enormous role China plays in supplying products to the United States. Could the large and growing trade imbalance with China have an adverse effect on the United States economy? What role does the undervalued Chinese currency play?

March 5: Iraq End Game - Dr. Robert Sterken, associate professor of political science, UT Tyler. A recurring question found in most public opinion polls and on the 2008 presidential campaign trail: What will be the end-game for the United States in Iraq? How will U.S. decisions about continued engagement affect Iraq itself, and the Middle East?