Great Decisions at the Library - 2026

GREAT DECISIONS AT THE LIBRARY
Sundays, February 1 - March 22
2 - 3:30 p.m. at Bethany Lutheran Church
7968 Finch Road NE, Bainbridge Island
Free, with donations welcome
Refreshments provided!

Beginning February 1, the community is invited to learn about and weigh in on six of the most important foreign policy issues facing the United States today.

March 8, 2026 | Free. Light refreshments. Donations appreciated

Ruptured Alliances and the Risk of Nuclear Proliferation

Moderator: Seth Weinberger, Chair of the Department of Politics & Government, University of Puget Sound

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?

Moderator: Seth Weinberger, Chair of the Department of Politics & Government, University of Puget Sound. Seth is a specialist in international relations and security. His research includes examining congressional-executive war powers and reconsidering the laws of war in the armed conflict against ISIS and al Qaeda. He teaches courses on international relations, U.S. foreign policy, international security, terrorism, constitutional law, and political philosophy.

Suggested Readings:
The Proliferation Problem is Back. Foreign Affairs, Sept. 25, 2025.
Key U.S.-Russia treaty expires, ushering in an era without caps on nuclear weapons. NBC News, Feb. 5, 2026.ï¿½
America risks a nuclear-arms race with China. The Economist, Feb. 3, 2026.
In the Shadow of Hiroshima - 75 Years On. Terence McNamee. Daily Maverick, 2020.ï¿½

March 15, 2026 | 2PM - 3:30PM | Large Meeting Room, Bainbridge Public Library | Free. Light refreshments. Donations appreciated

The Future of Human Rights and International Law

Moderator: Kenneth Roth, retired Executive Director of Human Rights Watch

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?

March 22, 2026 | 2PM - 3:30PM | Large Meeting Room, Bainbridge Public Library | Free. Light refreshments. Donations appreciated

America and the World: Trump 2.0 Foreign Policy

Moderator: David Fenner, affiliate faculty member, U.W. Jackson School of International Studies

Trump's return has marked a break from 80 years of U.S. foreign policy leadership, embracing an "America First" approach. This discussion explores the risks of isolation and diminished influence in relation to Trump 2.0 foreign policy.

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Kathleen Thorne
Martha Bayley
Cindy Harrison
Ki Kilcher
Co-Coordinators
GREAT DECISIONS AT THE LIBRARY
Email:

Now in its twentieth year, Great Decisions at the Library is part of a nation-wide, non-partisan program of the Foreign Policy Association intended to broaden public involvement in foreign affairs. While enjoying light refreshments, participants first view a 30-minute Foreign Policy Association film on the topic under consideration and then engage in a discussion lead by an informed moderator.

Copies of the Great Decisions Briefing Book can be purchased in hard copy or Kindle format from the Foreign Policy Association. A copy is available for reading at the Bainbridge Public Library Information Desk.

Great Decisions at the Library is sponsored by the Bainbridge Public Library with funding support from the Bainbridge Island Friends of the Library, the Bainbridge Community Foundation, and a generous donation in memory of Louise Brody Weissman.