Current Events   

View and discuss two engaging TED Talks (visit TED.com) in a salon-type setting where free-thinkers spark each other's minds and hearts through spirited presentations and conversation.
Be stimulated, and become better educated and acquainted. Salons such as this were popular occasions for sharing knowledge and building friendships from Renaissance times up until the 1940s. TED has again popularized this concept with TEDx - local, independently organized events - in vibrant learning communities all over the world.
Participants are sure to leave motivated and more meaningfully connected with the world around us.

 

The Islamic Republic of Iran’s behavior is difficult for us in the West to understand, but much of Iran’s behavior can be understood if looked at through the lens of security and survival. Surrounded by regional rivals, shaped by the trauma of the 1980s Iran-Iraq War, and having faced decades of sanctions, military pressure, and international isolation, Iran has developed a strategy centered on deterrence, asymmetrical warfare, and regional influence. Understanding these security concerns helps explain Iran’s support for proxy groups, missile development, nuclear ambitions, and broader regional behavior—not simply as expansionism, but as part of a long-term effort to preserve the regime and prevent external threats. It will also help us to understand her behavior during the current standoff with the United States.

View and discuss two engaging TED Talks (visit TED.com) in a salon-type setting where free-thinkers spark each other's minds and hearts through spirited presentations and conversation.
Be stimulated, and become better educated and acquainted. Salons such as this were popular occasions for sharing knowledge and building friendships from Renaissance times up until the 1940s. TED has again popularized this concept with TEDx - local, independently organized events - in vibrant learning communities all over the world.
Participants are sure to leave motivated and more meaningfully connected with the world around us.

 

Today's debates over diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) are often framed as new conflicts, yet they have deep historical roots. This presentation explores how ideas about race, immigration, and national identity have evolved from colonial America to the present. Participants will examine how concerns about preserving a "white" America influenced immigration policy, political movements, and public rhetoric, even appearing in the writings of Benjamin Franklin. Drawing on historical evidence, the session highlights enduring patterns that continue to shape contemporary discussions about race and identity, offering a clear historical framework for understanding current conversations.

View and discuss two engaging TED Talks (visit TED.com) in a salon-type setting where free-thinkers spark each other's minds and hearts through spirited presentations and conversation.
Be stimulated, and become better educated and acquainted. Salons such as this were popular occasions for sharing knowledge and building friendships from Renaissance times up until the 1940s. TED has again popularized this concept with TEDx - local, independently organized events - in vibrant learning communities all over the world.
Participants are sure to leave motivated and more meaningfully connected with the world around us.

 

Great Decisions, is the largest and oldest grass-roots discussion program on world affairs. Created by the Foreign Policy Association, in 1954, it annually offers a series of topics for discussion. Currently, over 400,000 Americans participate in Great Discussion groups across the country.

A briefing book and videos provide information for the discussions. 

Class meets once at week starting on February,  for eight classes. Class cost includes the Foreign Policy briefing book. The 2026  Topics that will be discussed in class are:  

1. America and the World: Trump 2.0 Foreign Policy
   Trump’s return has marked a break from 80 years of U.S. foreign policy leadership, embracing an “America First” approach. This chapter explores the risks of isolation and diminished influence in relation to Trump 2.0 foreign policy.
   By G. John Ikenberry
2. Trump Tariffs and the Future of the World Economy
   Trump’s aggressive trade and tariff policies have shaken global economic norms. What’s the rationale behind this radical shift in economic policy, and what are the implications for multilateral trade and geopolitics?
   By Michael Mastanduno
3. U.S.-China Relations
   Relations with China remain tense, with tariffs, military modernization, and pressure on Taiwan. Does Trump have a coherent China policy, and will his tariffs on Rare Earth minerals be effective? What are America’s strategic options?
   By Oriana Mastro
4. Ruptured Alliances and the Risk of Nuclear Proliferation
   U.S. alliance skepticism may drive countries like Japan and South Korea to reconsider nuclear options. What are the implications of the Trump administration’s rethinking of the U.S. alliance system for regional and global security? Will this new uncertainty alter the way allies and rivals in various regions make decisions about security and nuclear weapons?
   By Gideon Rose
5. Ukraine and the Future of European Security
   With reduced U.S. support for NATO and Ukraine, Europe faces strategic uncertainty. The Trump administration has signaled an intention to reduce its security role in Europe. What are America’s stakes in NATO and Europe’s strategic dilemmas, and how might Europe respond?
   By Thomas Wright
6. Multilateral Institutions in a Changing World Order
   Can multilateralism survive amid shifting global power and rising nationalism? This chapter examines the future of global cooperation across trade, health, and finance.
   By Scott Bessent (SUBJECT TO CHANGE)
7. U.S. Engagement of Africa
   Africa’s geopolitical role is growing. What lessons can the U.S. learn from China’s presence there, and how might it strengthen ties, especially with leading nations like Nigeria? What tools of statecraft might the U.S. bring to its engagement with Africa?
   By Jendayi E. Frazer
8. The Future of Human Rights and International Law
   As democracy and human rights retreat globally—and the U.S. pulls back—how can civil society and legal norms remain effective in a divided world? What is the role and force of international law in this era of impunity?

 

Debates about how we teach American history are not new, but they have intensified in recent years. This course examines how slavery shaped the founding, economy, legal system, and social divisions of the United States, many of which continue to influence American life today.

Using historical documents and evidence, we will explore the decisions made by the Founders to protect and expand slavery and how those choices still affect the country. Participants will consider how differently the nation might have developed had slavery not been built into its earliest structures.

Slavery played a critical role in the nation’s founding, and its legacy still shapes the present. As William Faulkner wrote, “The past is never dead; it’s not even past.”

Through historical evidence, we will also explore how “the sins of the fathers have been visited upon their children” (Ex. 34:7, Book of Exodus) and reflect on how different our national story might have been had slavery not been woven into its earliest structures.

Taiwan is an island nation that considers itself to be a sovereign state but is not recognized by most countries in the world. China considers Taiwan as part of its territory and opposes any attempts by Taiwan to declare independence or seek diplomatic recognition. The United States has a complex relationship with Taiwan, providing it with military and economic support, but not formally acknowledging its status as a country. The tension between China and Taiwan has increased in recent years, as Taiwan has elected pro-independence leaders and China has increased its military presence and pressure on the island. Taiwan is a flashpoint between the United States and China, as any conflict over its future could escalate into a major war that would involve regional and global powers.

Taiwan and the United States have shared values, economic ties, and security interests. Taiwan is a leading democracy and a technological powerhouse in the Indo-Pacific region, and a key U.S. partner in trade, health, and critical supply chains. The U.S. does not have diplomatic relations with Taiwan but maintains a robust unofficial relationship. The U.S. supports Taiwan's self-defense capability and opposes any unilateral changes to the status quo by either side of the Taiwan Strait. China, on the other hand, views Taiwan as a renegade province that must be reunified with the mainland by force if necessary and considers any U.S. involvement in cross-strait affairs as interference in its internal affairs.

View and discuss two engaging TED Talks (visit TED.com) in a salon-type setting where free-thinkers spark each other's minds and hearts through spirited presentations and conversation.
Be stimulated, and become better educated and acquainted. Salons such as this were popular occasions for sharing knowledge and building friendships from Renaissance times up until the 1940s. TED has again popularized this concept with TEDx - local, independently organized events - in vibrant learning communities all over the world.
Participants are sure to leave motivated and more meaningfully connected with the world around us.

 

View and discuss two engaging TED Talks (visit TED.com) in a salon-type setting where free-thinkers spark each other's minds and hearts through spirited presentations and conversation.
Be stimulated, and become better educated and acquainted. Salons such as this were popular occasions for sharing knowledge and building friendships from Renaissance times up until the 1940s. TED has again popularized this concept with TEDx - local, independently organized events - in vibrant learning communities all over the world.
Participants are sure to leave motivated and more meaningfully connected with the world around us.

 

The idea that “all men are created equal” is central to the American story—but putting that belief into practice has always been challenging.

This presentation traces how Americans have debated, expanded, and redefined equality over time. From the nation’s founding to modern civil rights movements, equality has been tested, resisted, and reimagined. Participants will explore how the pursuit of equality has shaped the country and consider what that ongoing struggle means today.

View and discuss two engaging TED Talks (visit TED.com) in a salon-type setting where free-thinkers spark each other's minds and hearts through spirited presentations and conversation.
Be stimulated, and become better educated and acquainted. Salons such as this were popular occasions for sharing knowledge and building friendships from Renaissance times up until the 1940s. TED has again popularized this concept with TEDx - local, independently organized events - in vibrant learning communities all over the world.
Participants are sure to leave motivated and more meaningfully connected with the world around us.