Great Decisions is a program developed by the Foreign Policy Association that provides the local community a unique opportunity to learn about issues of global importance in an engaging and interactive format. Lectures are delivered by well respected experts in the foreign policy field. Great Decisions begins in January and runs for eight consecutive Saturday mornings at the Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art in Virginia Beach.

Great Decisions

Local high school students await the question and answer session following a lecture on nuclear non-proliferation.

• U.S National Security - Ambassador Ravic Huso
• Rebuilding Haiti - Mary Ellen Gilroy
• German Ascendant - Dr.Regina Karp
• Responding to the Financial Crisis - Dr. Larry Filer
• Horn of Africa - Ambassador Bismarck Myrick
• The Caucasus - Lt. Commander Greg Sarafian, National Liason Representative Interface Officer, ACT
• Sanctions and Nonproliferation -Dr. Aaron Karp
• Global Governance - Commander Richard Perks and Dr. David Earnst 

Great Decisions 2012 Topics and Dates

To be held every Saturday in January through March from  10am-12pm at the

Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art:

Saturday, 14 January, 2012: Exit from Afghanistan & Iraq and What It Means for Joint & Coalition Warfighting

MG Fred Rudesheim, Deputy Director Joint Staff J7 Joint & Coalition Warfighting
Ten years after September 11, 2001, the U.S. is winding down its military commitment in Iraq and slowly pulling out of Afghanistan. What exit strategy will help Afghanistan and Iraq build stable democratic nations? How can the U.S. continue to achieve its counterterrorism goals? What is the role of the U.S. in the future of the Middle East?

Saturday, 21 January, 2012: Energy geopolitics

Dr. Steve Yetiv, University Professor of Political Science, Old Dominion University
The energy markets have been shaken by the instability of Middle East oil and the vulnerability of nuclear power. Moreover, developing countries like China are becoming bigger energy consumers, while energy producers like Russia see the opportunity to widen their influence. In this changed landscape, how will the U.S.’s energy needs affect its relations with other nations?

Saturday, 28 January 2012: Mexico
Dr. Francis Adams, Professor of Political Science and International Studies, Old Dominion University
Mexico’s border with Central America, as well as the border it shares with the U.S., has been a pathway for people, goods, crime and contraband in both directions. How can Mexico address these transborder challenges? What is the future of Mexico’s relations with its northern and southern neighbors? How will Mexico’s foreign relations affect its domestic politics?

Saturday, 4 February 2012: Promoting Democracy

Dr. Caleb Verbois, Assistant Professor, Government, History, and Criminal Justice, Regent University
The U.S. has had a history of advancing and supporting democracy around the world. What place does democracy promotion have in U.S. foreign policy today? With a choice of tools ranging from economic aid to military force, what are the appropriate yet effective methods that the U.S. should use to promote democracy?

Saturday, 11 February 2012: Middle East Realignment

Dr. Debra Shushan, Assistant Professor, International Relations, The College of William & Mary
The popular revolts and upheaval of the Arab Spring have radically changed the face of the Middle East. What lies ahead for the Middle East’s transition to democracy? What are the prospects for the governments that have held out in this new order? With many longtime U.S. allies ousted, how will the U.S. recalibrate its relations with the new regimes?

Saturday, 18 February 2012: State of the Oceans: Why is Arctic Ice Melting So Fast?

Dr. Victoria Hill, Asst. Research Professor, Ocean, Earth & Atmospheric Sciences, Old Dominion University
The world’s oceans are essential to life on earth, and are tremendously sensitive to global climate change. What are the consequences of climate change on oceanic factors like biodiversity, sea levels and extreme weather systems? How can the U.S. and its international partners address the emerging challenges to this shared resource?

Saturday, 25 February 2012: China and Its Economy
Dr. David Selover, Associate Professor of Economics, Old Dominion University
It’s vitally important to understand China and its economy, especially the international economic, political, and military influences. The talk will include a little about Chinese geography, history, and culture, and a lot about the Chinese economy and the problems they face. Will the Chinese GDP surpass that of the United States? When? Why is it important?

Saturday, 3 March 2012: Cybersecurity

Willie Session, Assistant Special Agent in Charge, National Security Branch Federal Bureau of Investigation
We are building our lives around our wired and wireless networks. The question is, are we ready to work together to defend them? The securitization of cyberspace has caused a sea change for both governments and the private sector, faced with new threats, new battlegrounds and new opportunities. Faced with challenges such as international cybercrime and authoritarian control of networks, how will the U.S. and its democratic allies approach the cyber frontier? How does this new domain figure in U.S. strategic interests?

Thank you for making Great Decisions 2012 a resounding success. We thank you for your attendance and the input that each of you brought to the programs each Saturday. 

A Special Thank You to our speakers: 

MG Fred Rudesheim 

Dr. Steve Yetiv

Dr. Francis Adams

Dr. Caleb Verbois

Dr. Debra Shushan 

Dr. Victoria Hill 

Dr. David Selover

Mr. Willie Session 

Also thank you to our Hospitality Committee and to all those who provided the wonderful refreshments we enjoyed each Saturday. 

As part of a generous grant from the City of Virginia Beach Arts and Humanities Commission, students and teachers (registered for continuing education classes) are free of charge.