SCC Global Affairs Center to host Second Annual Great Discussion Series

The Global Affairs Center at Shoreline Community College hosts the second annual Great Discussion Series on current foreign policy issues on seven consecutive Thursday evenings, from 6:30 to 8 pm, April 15 through May 27. 

Video presentations will be shown prior to the discussions at 6 pm. The discussions will take place in the PUB, the Student Union Building, Room 9202. The cost for all sessions is $22. Pre-registration is required. Register in person at the College Bookstore at the lower level of the Student Union Building (9000 Bldg).

The format is built around Great Decision, a publication of the Foreign Policy Association (FPA) of New York containing several pages of briefing material on each issue. Participants will receive a copy of the publication when they register.

The themes to be discussed include:

April 15

U.S.-China Security Relation

Joe Borich, President, Washington State China Relations Council

China's influence is growing along with its military expenditures. Will China's expanding military and economic power affect traditional U.S. roles and U.S. alliances in East Asia?

April 22

Global Financial Crisis

Bob Francis, Economics Professor, Shoreline Community College

The global financial crisis that began in late 2007 revealed major deficiencies in the regulation of markets and institutions. How will governments and the world community respond to this challenge?

April 29

Global Crime

Selby Smith, Special Agent, Drug Enforcement Agency

Crime is becoming increasingly organized and globalized. Which international actors can effectively fight global organized crime, and how?

May 6

Russia and its Neighbors

Chip Dodd, Geography Professor, Shoreline Community College

Russia's "sphere of influence" in former Soviet satellites has been challenged in recent years. Russia is pushing back, but will it regain its leadership role in the region?

May 13

Special Envoys

Lew Macfarlane, U.S. Foreign Service, Retired

Special envoys can bring diplomatic muscle to resolve conflicts and global challenges but they also bring their own "special" problems.

May 20

The Persian Gulf

Abdi Sami, Former CEO of Dream Quest Images and Co-Producer of "Rick Steves’ Iran"

How will Obama's direct appeal to Arabs and Muslims impact U.S. foreign policy in the region? What is the fallout of withdrawal of U.S. forces from Iraq? Can the U.S. and its allies prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons?

May 27

Peacekeeping and Conflict Resolution

Kenneth Lawson, Political Science Professor, Shoreline Community College

How can the U.S. successfully integrate the tools of peace building into its statecraft? At what point do poverty, disease and climate change threaten national security? What role can non-governmental actors play in supporting government led efforts?

For more information, visit the Global Affairs website.

Shoreline Community College is located at 16101 Greenwood Avenue North, just west of Aurora Avenue and north of Seattle city limits.