Great Decisions

Great Decisions is America's largest discussion program on world affairs. The program model involves reading the Great Decisions briefing book, watching the video series, and meeting in a group to discuss the most critical global issues facing America today. Each year, eight topics are chosen by a panel of experts. Petoskey District Library has been participating for the past several years in this valuable program provided by the Foreign Policy Association, with all eight sessions held virtually via Zoom. Please contact program host Mary Hohlbein at mhohlbein@petoskeylibrary.org to express your interest in participating in these Great Decisions discussions and a link to the Zoom program will be sent to you. Briefing books with articles about each topic are available for purchase at the library and a limited number are also available to check out.

For the February 19 session, we'll be reviewing and discussing "Competition, Cold War, or Conflict? Navigating US-China Relations in Tense Times" by Thomas J. Christensen, which will explore Washington’s relations with Beijing have reached an ominous low ebb. Both American political parties have identified China as the country’s preeminent geopolitical challenger and, in the eyes of many, a systemic threat. What is driving this deterioration of Sino-American relations, and what are America’s strategic options in the face of Chinese power and ambition?