Whether the topic is foreign policy challenges, food and climate issues, energy independence, defense technology or emerging facets of world religions and nations, our residents welcome this latest incoming tide of vital information and lively discussion.
Westminster-Canterbury's Eighth
Annual Great Decisions events feature the highly current issues selected for
America's largest national network of discussion programs on world affairs. The
topic leaders are eight of our residents and one honored guest. They include
retired military leaders, professors, global trade specialists, current affairs
scholars and others with special expertise or interests.
Sponsored nationally by the
Foreign Policy Administration, the topics are selected to highlight the most
critical global issues facing America today. Below are the dates and
descriptions of each topic.
For
more information on these events, you are invited to call
Westminster-Canterbury
at 757.496.1785, weekdays, 9am to 5pm.
March 6th - Israel &
the U.S.
Robert B. Taylor, M.D.
& Anita D. Taylor, M.A. Ed.
Modern Israel’s struggles with the
Palestinians have turned what was meant as a safe haven for Jews into
the center of a decades-long conflict. The Arab Spring, Iran’s nuclear
ambitions, failed peace talks, and lukewarm interactions between Israel and
Washington have put new strains on the 65 year-old “special relationship”
between Israel and the U.S. The discussion will center on 4 questions:
1. What is “special” about the nation
of Israel?
2. Why can’t Jews and Arabs get along?
3. What about the role of the United States?
4. Will there ever be peace between the
Israelis and the Palestinians?
March 13th - Defense
Technology
Rear Admiral Fred Metz
(guest presenter, Retired, U.S. Navy)
From robotic planes to
cyber-weapons to 3D printing and human enhancement, new “game-changing”
technologies are moving from science fiction to battlefield reality – all
during an age of fiscal austerity. What are the killer applications of the 21st-century
battlefield, and in turn what are the issues that the U.S. must navigate in
adapting to them?
March 27th - Islamic
Awakening
The aftermath of the
Arab Spring has resulted in unforeseen changes in the political landscape in
many countries, especially regarding the role of Islam and democracy. How have
the countries in the Maghrab reacted, including Tunisia, where the Arab Spring
began? Is U.S. foreign policy adapting successfully to all of the changes in
the region?
April 3rd - Energy
Independence
Captain Bill Waller
(Retired, U.S. Navy) & Neola Waller
Energy independence, by
taking the bargaining chip of oil dependence off the table, would be good for
American foreign policy. But the very technological advances that make
independence possible have created a dilemma for lawmakers. Should the U.S,
encourage more traditional fuel production or invest in the young technology of
renewable resources?
April 10th - U.S. Trade
Policy
America’s foreign policy
tools are not limited to sanctions, treaties or military campaigns – they also
include the sales pitch. The logic behind this “economic statecraft” is simple:
promote the benefits of democracy and the free market. In so doing, the U. S.
will gain valuable and stable partners, both in business and in diplomacy in a
climate where China and other emerging nations battle the U.S. for global
influence.
April 17th - Turkey's
Challenges
Turkey: a nation at a
crossroads, a bridge over an ever-growing chasm between East and West. Turkey’s
first Prime Minister Kemal Ataturk envisioned a modern, democratic nation-state
built on the ashes of the Ottoman Empire with strong ties to Europe, not the
Middle East. But as clashes between secular and religious groups show, the soul
of Turkey is still very much up for grabs.
April 24th - China's
Foreign Policy
China has gone to great
lengths to emphasize the “peaceful” nature of its meteoric rise. Yet few
dispute that China is the dominant regional power in Asia – and in recent years
Beijing has begun to flex its muscles regionally in order to advance its
strategic interests. What does the rapid rise of this new superpower mean for
other countries in the region, and are there potential points of conflict with
the U.S. as it “pivots” to Asia?
Westminster-Canterbury's Eighth
Annual Great Decisions events feature the highly current issues selected for
America's largest national network of discussion programs on world affairs. The
topic leaders are eight of our residents and one honored guest. They include
retired military leaders, professors, global trade specialists, current affairs
scholars and others with special expertise or interests.
Sponsored nationally by the
Foreign Policy Administration, the topics are selected to highlight the most
critical global issues facing America today. Below are the dates and
descriptions of each topic.
For
more information on these events, you are invited to call
Westminster-Canterbury at 757.496.1785, weekdays, 9am to 5pm.
Westminster-Canterbury at 757.496.1785, weekdays, 9am to 5pm.
March 6th - Israel &
the U.S.
Robert B. Taylor, M.D. & Anita D. Taylor, M.A. Ed.
Modern Israel’s struggles with the Palestinians have turned what was meant as a safe haven for Jews into the center of a decades-long conflict. The Arab Spring, Iran’s nuclear ambitions, failed peace talks, and lukewarm interactions between Israel and Washington have put new strains on the 65 year-old “special relationship” between Israel and the U.S. The discussion will center on 4 questions:
1. What is “special” about the nation of Israel?
2. Why can’t Jews and Arabs get along?
3. What about the role of the United States?
4. Will there ever be peace between the Israelis and the Palestinians?
Robert B. Taylor, M.D. & Anita D. Taylor, M.A. Ed.
Modern Israel’s struggles with the Palestinians have turned what was meant as a safe haven for Jews into the center of a decades-long conflict. The Arab Spring, Iran’s nuclear ambitions, failed peace talks, and lukewarm interactions between Israel and Washington have put new strains on the 65 year-old “special relationship” between Israel and the U.S. The discussion will center on 4 questions:
1. What is “special” about the nation of Israel?
2. Why can’t Jews and Arabs get along?
3. What about the role of the United States?
4. Will there ever be peace between the Israelis and the Palestinians?
March 13th - Defense
Technology
Rear Admiral Fred Metz (guest presenter, Retired, U.S. Navy)
Rear Admiral Fred Metz (guest presenter, Retired, U.S. Navy)
From robotic planes to
cyber-weapons to 3D printing and human enhancement, new “game-changing”
technologies are moving from science fiction to battlefield reality – all
during an age of fiscal austerity. What are the killer applications of the 21st-century
battlefield, and in turn what are the issues that the U.S. must navigate in
adapting to them?
March 27th - Islamic
Awakening
Henry Watts, DBA, MBA
The aftermath of the Arab Spring has resulted in unforeseen changes in the political landscape in many countries, especially regarding the role of Islam and democracy. How have the countries in the Maghrab reacted, including Tunisia, where the Arab Spring began? Is U.S. foreign policy adapting successfully to all of the changes in the region?
The aftermath of the Arab Spring has resulted in unforeseen changes in the political landscape in many countries, especially regarding the role of Islam and democracy. How have the countries in the Maghrab reacted, including Tunisia, where the Arab Spring began? Is U.S. foreign policy adapting successfully to all of the changes in the region?
April 3rd - Energy
Independence
Captain Bill Waller (Retired, U.S. Navy) & Neola Waller
Energy independence, by taking the bargaining chip of oil dependence off the table, would be good for American foreign policy. But the very technological advances that make independence possible have created a dilemma for lawmakers. Should the U.S, encourage more traditional fuel production or invest in the young technology of renewable resources?
Captain Bill Waller (Retired, U.S. Navy) & Neola Waller
Energy independence, by taking the bargaining chip of oil dependence off the table, would be good for American foreign policy. But the very technological advances that make independence possible have created a dilemma for lawmakers. Should the U.S, encourage more traditional fuel production or invest in the young technology of renewable resources?
April 10th - U.S. Trade
Policy
John Hardt, Ph.D.
America’s foreign policy tools are not limited to sanctions, treaties or military campaigns – they also include the sales pitch. The logic behind this “economic statecraft” is simple: promote the benefits of democracy and the free market. In so doing, the U. S. will gain valuable and stable partners, both in business and in diplomacy in a climate where China and other emerging nations battle the U.S. for global influence.
America’s foreign policy tools are not limited to sanctions, treaties or military campaigns – they also include the sales pitch. The logic behind this “economic statecraft” is simple: promote the benefits of democracy and the free market. In so doing, the U. S. will gain valuable and stable partners, both in business and in diplomacy in a climate where China and other emerging nations battle the U.S. for global influence.
April 17th - Turkey's
Challenges
Rear Admiral William
Marshall Zobel (Retired, U.S. Navy)
Turkey: a nation at a crossroads, a bridge over an ever-growing chasm between East and West. Turkey’s first Prime Minister Kemal Ataturk envisioned a modern, democratic nation-state built on the ashes of the Ottoman Empire with strong ties to Europe, not the Middle East. But as clashes between secular and religious groups show, the soul of Turkey is still very much up for grabs.
Turkey: a nation at a crossroads, a bridge over an ever-growing chasm between East and West. Turkey’s first Prime Minister Kemal Ataturk envisioned a modern, democratic nation-state built on the ashes of the Ottoman Empire with strong ties to Europe, not the Middle East. But as clashes between secular and religious groups show, the soul of Turkey is still very much up for grabs.
April 24th - China's
Foreign Policy
Rear Admiral Peter Bondi
(Retire, U.S. Navy)
China has gone to great lengths to emphasize the “peaceful” nature of its meteoric rise. Yet few dispute that China is the dominant regional power in Asia – and in recent years Beijing has begun to flex its muscles regionally in order to advance its strategic interests. What does the rapid rise of this new superpower mean for other countries in the region, and are there potential points of conflict with the U.S. as it “pivots” to Asia?
China has gone to great lengths to emphasize the “peaceful” nature of its meteoric rise. Yet few dispute that China is the dominant regional power in Asia – and in recent years Beijing has begun to flex its muscles regionally in order to advance its strategic interests. What does the rapid rise of this new superpower mean for other countries in the region, and are there potential points of conflict with the U.S. as it “pivots” to Asia?
