Tag Archives: great decisions

Great Decisions at the Library – 11/10/25

EVENTS, Uncategorized 11/08/2025 Leave a comment

Great Decisions meets this Monday at 6 pm, Main Library

Our next “Great Decisions” topic – “AI and our National Security” – elicits high anxiety among many of us as we consider the unprecedented risks and challenges of this rapidly developing technology. The threats to cybersecurity, national defense and personal privacy, the dangers of mass surveillance, use of unreliable AI technologies in law enforcement, social media bots and insufficient industry self-regulation are among many concerns. What is being done to address these risks? Is there enforceable global governance of artificial intelligence? So many questions surround these amazing developments that you would rather not think about it…but AI is a high tech tsunami that has already hit us.

We will meet in the Walpole Town Library on Monday, November 10, at 6:00 pm. The relevant reading from the Foreign Policy Association is “AI and American National Security,” by Julie George. A copy of this article can be emailed to you upon request sent to Library Director Jane Malmberg: jmalmberg@walpoletownlibrary.org If you are joining via Zoom, please request the Zoom link from Jane Malmberg prior to the meeting and join at 6:30 pm, after the “Master Class” video.

Great Decisions at the Library – 10/13/25

Uncategorized 10/09/2025 Leave a comment

Ambassador William Rugh will lead “Great Decisions” 

discussion of US Foreign Policy in the Middle East

Ambassador Rugh was a U.S. Foreign Service Officer for 31 years and had nine diplomatic assignments in the Arab world, including ambassador to Yemen (1984-87) and to the United Arab Emirates (1992-95), as well as Deputy Chief of Mission in Syria (1981-84), public affairs officer in Saudi Arabia and Egypt. He has taught diplomacy and foreign policy at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University, and at Northeastern University. He is the author of five books on public diplomacy in the Arab and Islamic worlds, US soft power and Arab mass media. Rugh holds a PhD in international relations from Columbia University. He is a Board member of the Middle East Policy Council and formerly was a Trustee of the American University in Cairo and an adjunct scholar at the Middle East Institute.

Ambassador Rugh will be joining us via Zoom as we discuss “American Policy in the Middle East” on Monday, October 13, at 6:00 p.m. 

The Middle East suffers ceaseless conflicts, autocratic rulers, endemic social and economic disparity, unchecked population growth, and poor education systems. Peace between Israel and the Palestinians seems impossible. What are the options when the war in Gaza finally ends?

The relevant reading from the Foreign Policy Association is “American Policy in the Middle East: Taking Stock and Looking Ahead,” by Daniel C. Kurtzer, Professor of Middle East Policy Studies at Princeton and former U.S. Ambassador to Egypt and to Israel. A copy of this excellent article can be emailed to you upon request to Jane Malmberg, Library Director: jmalmberg@walpoletownlibrary.org

For those joining via Zoom, please request the Zoom link from the library prior to the meeting and join at 6:25 p.m., after the Foreign Policy video “Master Class.”

Great Decisions at the Library – 9/15/25

EVENTS 09/08/2025 Leave a comment

From Sue Kibbe:

GREAT DECISIONS

“The Future of NATO & European Security”

“Great Decisions” resumes on Monday, September 15, 6:00 p.m., in the Walpole Town Library. We will discuss “The Future of NATO and European Security” with former U.S. Ambassador to the Czech Republic Adrian Basora. A trustee of the Foreign Policy Research Institute, Adrian is also a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and is on the international advisory board of the Auschwitz Institute for the Prevention of Genocide and Mass Atrocities. During his 33 years in the U.S. Foreign Service, Adrian served in former Soviet Bloc countries and helped develop America’s programs in support of their transition to democracy while working at the National Security Council.

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine three years ago has threatened the NATO alliance in ways not seen since nuclear missiles were defensively deployed in Europe and the Soviet Union more than 50 years ago. Adding to European insecurity is the current U.S. administration’s dismissal of alliances and strange affinity for Russia’s Vladimir Putin. What are Europe’s options? Should NATO expand to include Japan, Australia, New Zealand and South Korea?

The relevant reading from the Foreign Policy Association is “The Future of NATO and European Security” by Kori Schake and is available at the library or by request via email addressed to our Library Director, Jane Malmberg: jmalmberg@walpoletownlibrary.org

If you are joining the discussion via Zoom, please log on at 6:20 p.m., after the Foreign Policy Association’s Master Class video which we are not permitted to show on Zoom. For the Zoom link, email Jane Malmberg in advance of the meeting.

Great Decision at the Library – 6/16/25

EVENTS 06/09/2025 Leave a comment

“Great Decisions”

One Week from Today

to discuss:

“Climate Change: A Global Challenge”

The “Great Decisions” public forum will meet again on Monday, June 16, 6:00 p.m. in the Walpole Town Library. Our topic is “Climate Change: A Global Challenge amidst Geopolitical Tension.” Leading the discussion is science teacher, environmental activist, climate-change educator Tom Sintros of Alstead, NH. Along with his many environmental and educational projects, Tom was a Climate Reality presenter for Al Gore and speaker for Carbon Coalition. He has worked with The Climate Project, Climate Solutions University, and Clean Air Cool Planet, and was a founding board member of Keene Cities for Climate Protection.

The relevant reading from the Foreign Policy Association is “International Climate Cooperation in an Era of Geopolitical Turmoil” by Joshua Busby. This article is available at the library or can be emailed to you upon request by contacting Jane Malmberg, Library Director: jmalmberg@walpoletownlibrary.org

All are welcome at 6:00 p.m. on Monday, June 16, in the Hubbard Meeting Room, Walpole Town Library. We begin with a 20-minute Master Class video prepared by the Foreign Policy Association which cannot be shown over Zoom. For those joining via Zoom, please contact Jane Malmberg for the Zoom link in advance of the meeting and join at 6:20 p.m.

Sue Kibbe

Great Decisions at the Library – 5/12/25

EVENTS 05/05/2025 Leave a comment

One Week from Today!

“Great Decisions” Welcomes Stapleton Roy as Moderator

The “Great Decisions” discussion group will meet again on Monday, May 12, at 6:00 p.m. in the Walpole Town Library. Our topic is “U.S.- China Relations in Tense Times,” and we are most fortunate to again have Career Ambassador Stapleton Roy join us via Zoom to moderate the discussion. (Career Ambassador is the highest rank in the U.S. Foreign Service.) 

Stapleton Roy began his diplomatic career in 1956 and rose to become a three-time United States Ambassador, serving in Singapore, the People’s Republic of China, and Indonesia. Subsequently he joined the Kissinger Institute on China and the United States at the Wilson Center in Washington. He was a Trustee of the Asia Foundation and the Carnegie Endowment for Peace. I assure you that a conversation with “Stape” is delightful and unforgettable, his depth of understanding is unparalleled – this is a rare opportunity not to be missed!

The relevant reading from the Foreign Policy Association is “Competition, Cold War, or Conflict? Navigating U.S.- China Relations in Tense Times,” by Thomas J. Christensen, which is available at the Walpole Library. A copy of this article can be emailed to you upon request by contacting Jane Malmberg, Library Director: jmalmberg@walpoletownlibrary.org 

All are welcome at 6:00 p.m. on Monday, May 12, in the Hubbard Meeting Room, Walpole Town Library. We begin with a Master Class video prepared by the Foreign Policy Association which cannot be shown over Zoom. Those of you joining via Zoom, please join at 6:30 p.m. For the Zoom link, please contact Jane Malmberg in advance of the meeting.

Great Decisions – 4/14/25

EVENTS 04/07/2025 Leave a comment

“Great Decisions” 

Our Public Forum Resumes on Monday, April 14

“America at a Global Crossroads”

“America at a Global Crossroads”— our next “Great Decisions” public forum — will be moderated by Adrian Basora, former United States Ambassador to Czechoslovakia and the Czech Republic. This discussion will be on Monday, April 14, 6:00 p.m., in the Walpole Town Library, and promises to be a timely and illuminating analysis of what we now might describe as “American Foreign Policy in the Crosshairs.”

We are grateful to have Adrian Basora – trustee of the Foreign Policy Research Institute and member of the Council on Foreign Relations – to guide us through this uncharted territory.. During his 33 years in the U.S. Foreign Service, Adrian served in former Soviet Bloc countries and worked on programs supporting their transition to democracy.

The Foreign Policy Association’s article by G. John Ikenberry, “America at a Global Crossroads,” is available at the library.  Writing in November 2024, following the election, Ikenberry describes three strategic choices for American foreign policy. The America First agenda of Trump’s administration has already broken with liberal internationalism, challenging rules-based, multilateral cooperation and traditional alliances. What are the dangers and advantages this nationalism poses for our future security? A copy of the relevant article can be emailed to you upon request by contacting Jane Malmberg, Library Director: jmalmberg@walpoletownlibrary.org 

All are welcome to join at 6:00 p.m. on Monday, April 14, in the Hubbard Meeting Room, Walpole Town Library, or via Zoom. We begin with a Master Class video prepared by the Foreign Policy Association which cannot be shown over Zoom. So those of you joining via Zoom, please join at 6:20 p.m. For the Zoom link, please contact Jane Malmberg in advance of the meeting: jmalmberg@walpoletownlibrary.org

Sue Kibbe

Reminder: Great Decisions Meets Tonight

EVENTS 11/11/2024 Leave a comment

“Great Decisions”

“Pandemic Preparedness”

Please Note: Yes, the library is closed for Veterans Day but it will be opened this evening for the “Great Decisions” public forum.

“Great Decisions” will meet this evening at 6:00 p.m. in the Walpole Town Library. Our topic for discussion is Pandemic Preparedness. The risk of a global epidemic has not diminished since the Covid-19 pandemic, so what have we learned and what can be done to ensure the international response is equitable and immediate?

The relevant reading from the Foreign Policy Association is “Pandemic Preparedness: Ending the Deadly Cycle of Panic and Neglect,” by Carolyn Reynolds. For a copy of this article and/or the meeting’s Zoom link, please contact Library Director Jane Malmberg at jmalmberg@walpoletownlibrary.org

Great Decisions – 11/11/24

EVENTS 11/04/2024 Leave a comment

“Great Decisions” Meets next Monday, November 11

“Pandemic Preparedness”

“Great Decisions” will meet again on Monday, November 11, at 6:00 p.m. in the Walpole Town Library. Our topic for discussion is Pandemic Preparedness. The risk of a global epidemic has not diminished since the Covid-19 pandemic, so what have we learned and what can be done to prepare as a nation and as a member of the international community? What is the objective of the Global Pandemic Treaty, and what are the roadblocks to an agreement?

The relevant reading from the Foreign Policy Association is “Pandemic Preparedness: Ending the Deadly Cycle of Panic and Neglect,” by Carolyn Reynolds. For a copy of this article and/or the meeting’s Zoom link, please contact Library Director Jane Malmberg at jmalmberg@walpoletownlibrary.org

Reminder: Great Decisions Meets 10/21/24

EVENTS 10/14/2024 Leave a comment

Great News from “Great Decisions”

Stapleton Roy Joins Us Again! – One Week from Today

Stapleton Roy will lead our expedition into Indonesia, exploring its complicated history, unique geography, ethnic diversity and present foreign policy. After serving as our Ambassador in China and Singapore, Stapleton Roy was United States Ambassador to Indonesia from 1996 – 1999. Ambassador Roy was stationed in Jakarta during the tumultuous end of Suharto’s presidency, amid an economic crisis, student demonstrations, riots and outbursts of violence. 

“Stape” will be joining us via Zoom, which is an option for anyone (contact Jane Malmberg for the Zoom link) or you are welcome to attend in person on Monday, October 21, at 6:00 p.m. in the Walpole Town Library. This discussion with one of our preeminent experts on Southeast Asia, whose breadth and depth of knowledge is unsurpassed, is a rare opportunity.

The relevant reading from the Foreign Policy Association is “Invisible Indonesia” by Charles Sullivan. For a copy of this article and/or the meeting’s Zoom link, please contact Library Director Jane Malmberg at jmalmberg@walpoletownlibrary.org

Please note: For those joining via Zoom, please wait until 6:20 to join, as we will be viewing the “Master Class” from the Foreign Policy Institute for the first twenty minutes in the library.

Great Decisions at the Library – 10/21/24

EVENTS, PROGRAMS 10/01/2024 Leave a comment

“Great Decisions” will meet at the Walpole Town Library on Monday, October 21, 2024 at 6:00 pm. For more information, contact Library Director Jane Malmberg at jmalmberg@walpoletownlibrary.org.