Great Decisions 2026
Deltaville, VA
Great Decisions is produced by the Foreign Policy Association, which has been encouraging nonpartisan discussion on U.S. foreign policy for over 100 years. The program gives citizens the opportunity to learn about some of the most critical global issues facing America today. After the program, the FPA gathers participants’ feedback to create a national opinion ballot report, which is shared with members of Congress.
Our Story
We have been meeting each year from January through March for over a decade, and this year is shaping up to be another great season.
We meet on Fridays at 10:00 a.m. at the DCA Building in Deltaville.
Each program features a guest speaker, followed by coffee and cookies, and concludes with a question-and-answer session.
Weather policy: We follow Middlesex County Public Schools. If there is a two-hour delay, the program will be held as scheduled. If schools are closed, the program will be rescheduled.
Please sign up for our mailing list. We usually send just one email per week, with occasional updates if weather or speaker travel requires a change.
Bookstore
2026 Topics
Ruptured Alliances and the Risk of Nuclear Proliferation
Topic
Friday January 30 @10:00AM
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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?
By Gideon Rose
About our Speaker - John Weidner
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U.S.-China Relations
Topic
Friday February 6 @10:00AM
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?
By Oriana Mastro
About our Speaker
- Dr. Taivi Sun CNU
Multilateral Institutions in a Changing World Order
Topic
Friday February 13 @10:00AM
Can multilateralism survive amid shifting global power and rising nationalism? This chapter examines the future of global cooperation across trade, health, and finance.
By Scott Bessent (SUBJECT TO CHANGE)
About our Speaker
- Dr Thomas Lynch
Ukraine and the Future of European Security
Topic
Friday February 20th @10:00AM
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?
By Thomas Wright
About our Speaker
- Prof Keith Darden - American University
America and the World: Trump 2.0 Foreign Policy
Topic
Friday February 27 @10:00AM
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.
By G. John Ikenberry
About our Speaker
- Dr Crystal Shelton CNU
The Future of Human Rights and International Law
Topic
Friday March 6 @10:00AM
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?
By Jose Enrique Alvarez
About our Speaker
- Dr Francesca Parentes CNU
Trump Tariffs and the Future of the World Economy
Topic
Friday March 13 @10:00AM
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?
By Michael Mastanduno
About our Speaker
- Pep Fuller
U.S. Engagement of Africa
Topic
Friday March 20th @10:00AM
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?
By Jendayi E. Frazer
About our Speaker
- TBD
