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Great Decisions 2026
Register now! The 2026 Great Decisions series at the Wyomissing Public Library will begin on Tuesday, February 10th, 2026.
There is a $35 fee to participate, which covers the costs of the issue book. Two people from the same household may participate for $40.
Great Decisions is a discussion program produced by the Foreign Policy Association, an independent non-profit organization “dedicated to inspiring learning about the world.” The World Affairs Council of Greater Reading is dedicated to educating and engaging the Berks County community in global affairs.
To register for the 2026 series, please email ann@wyopublib.org, call 610-374-2385, or sign up online at:
Week 1: America and the World: Trump 2.0 Foreign Policy
Tuesday, 2/10/2026 | 5:30 - 7:00 p.m.
Trump's return has marked a break from 80 years of U.S. foreign policy leadership, embracing an "America First" approach. This chapter explores the risks of isolation and diminished influence in relation to Trump 2.0 foreign policy.
Facilitator: Michelle Mart, PhD., Penn State University
Week 2: U.S.-China Relations
Tuesday, 2/17/2026 | 5:30 - 7:00 p.m.
Relations with China remain tense, with tariffs, military modernization, and pressure on Taiwan. Does Trump have a coherent China policy, and will his tariffs on Rare Earth minerals be effective? What are America's strategic options?
Facilitator: Solomon Lausch, EdD., World Affairs Council of Greater Reading
Week 3: Ruptured Alliances and the Risk of Nuclear Proliferation
Tuesday, 2/24/2026 | 5:30 - 7:00 p.m.
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?
Facilitator: Nevin Hollinger, World Affairs Council of Greater Reading
Week 4: U.S. Engagement of Africa
Tuesday, 3/10/2026 | 5:30 - 7:00 p.m.
Africa's geopolitical role is growing. What lessons can the U.S. learn from China's presence there, and how might it strengthen ties, especially with leading nations like Nigeria? What tools of statecraft might the U.S. bring to its engagement with Africa?
Facilitator: T.B.A.
Week 5: Trump Tariffs and the Future of the World Economy
Tuesday, 3/17/2026 | 5:30 - 7:00 p.m.
Trump's aggressive trade and tariff policies have shaken global economic norms. What's the rationale behind this radical shift in economic policy, and what are the implications for multilateral trade and geopolitics?
Facilitator: Farhad Saboori, PhD., Albright College
Week 6: Ukraine and the Future of European Society
Tuesday, 3/24/2026 | 5:30 - 7:00 p.m.
With reduced U.S. support for NATO and Ukraine, Europe faces strategic uncertainty. The Trump administration has signaled an intention to reduce its security role in Europe. What are America's stakes in NATO and Europe's strategic dilemmas, and how might Europe respond?
Facilitator: Randall Newnham, PhD, Penn State University
Week 7: Multilateral Institutions in a Changing World Order
Tuesday, 3/31/2026 | 5:30 - 7:00 p.m.
Can multilateralism survive amid shifting global power and rising nationalism? This chapter examines the future of global cooperation across trade, health, and finance.
Facilitator: Larry Cohen, World Affairs Council of Greater Reading
Week 8: The Future of Human Rights and International Law
Tuesday, 4/14/2026 | 5:30 - 7:00 p.m.
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?
Facilitator: T.B.A.