Great Decisions

Dakota County Library hosts foreign policy discussions

 

Join the debate on The Global Financial Crisis, U.S.-China Security Relations, Russia and Its Neighbors, and The Persian Gulf at four forums on foreign policy issues hosted by Dakota County Library and District 196 Community Education.

 

Each forum features a topic expert, who will set the stage for discussing diverse viewpoints. A Great Decisions briefing book, which includes several articles, is available at Galaxie Library for those who would like to learn more about the topic before the discussion. The reading is optional. A limited number of copies are available for checkout or reading at the library.

 

The Global Financial Crisis forum is Monday, Oct. 4, from 4–5:30 p.m. Talk about the global financial crisis that began in late 2007 including the regulation of markets and institutions, emergency measures to prevent a collapse of the system as well as discussing how the world community will respond to this ongoing crisis.

 

U.S.-China Security Relations is Monday, Oct. 18, 4–5:30 p.m. Discuss China's growing influence and rising military spending and how this growth will affect China's relations with its neighbors and the U.S.

 

Russia and Its Neighbors is Monday, Nov. 1, 4–5:30 p.m. Talk about how anti-Russia regimes are challenging Russia's policy of maintaining a sphere of influence in former Soviet satellites. Will Russia regain its traditional leadership role in the region?

 

The Persian Gulf is Monday, Nov. 15, 4–5:30 p.m. Come talk about the challenges that the Persian Gulf region offers to U.S. policymakers. How will President Obama's appeals to Arabs and Muslims impact U.S. foreign policy in the region? What will result from withdrawal of U.S. forces from Iraq? Can the U.S. and its allies prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons?

 

All of the forums will be held at the Galaxie Library, 14955 Galaxie Ave., Apple Valley. For more information, visit www.dakotacounty.us/library or call 651-450-2918.