The Library is hosting a Great Decisions 2025 Discussion Series this Spring on Tuesdays from April 1 through June 3 at 5:00 PM. NOTE: there are no sessions on April 8 and May 13.

The Foreign Policy Association’s Great Decisions is America’s largest discussion program on world affairs. Groups throughout the U. S. read the Great Decisions Briefing Book, watch a  short video about that week's topic, and meet to discuss the most critical global issues facing America today. Sessions will be moderated either by Philip Drouin (retired Foreign Service Officer) or a guest moderator.

Dates, topics, and moderators are:
April 1 | American Foreign Policy at a Crossroads | Philip Drouin     
April 15 | U.S. Changing Leadership in the World's Economy | Philip Drouin
April 22 | U.S. - China Relations | Philip Drouin
April 29 | International Cooperation on Climate Change | Andrew Reynolds
May 6 | The Future of NATO and European Security | Philip Drouin
May 20 | AI and American National Security | Fred and Linda Dylla
May 27 | India: Between China, the West, and the Global South | Nancy Powell
June 3 | American Policy in the Middle East | Jim Smith    
More information about each topic may be found here.

Series coordinator and moderator:
Philip Drouin was a Foreign Service Officer at the U.S. State Department from 1984 to 2012. He had tours in Germany, Liberia, Namibia, Cote d’Ivoire, Botswana, Nigeria, and Washington, and was called back for post-retirement duty at USAU in Addis Ababa, and to Monrovia. Phil advanced U.S.-African economic/security cooperation and progress in democratization/development, led election observations, and reported on the demise of Apartheid. He earned his BA in Education (History) from UConn, International Affairs MA from AU, and MS in National Security Strategy from National War College. His public service in Africa helped in turning the deadly HIV/AIDS tide, via PEPFAR, and Phil worked on strategic NAFTA negotiations to promote prosperity and U.S. partnership with continental neighbors Canada and Mexico. Phil favors ‘Great Decisions!’ 
Guest moderators:
Andrew Reynolds is formerly the U.S. Department of State's Science and Technology (S&T) Adviser.
Fred Dylla is Executive Director Emeritus of the American Institute of Physics and author of Scientific Journeys.
Linda Dylla is the former Public Information Officer at the Jefferson Laboratory and the U.S. Department of Energy.
Nancy Powell was U.S. Ambassador to multiple countries in South Asia and Africa, Director General of the Foreign Service, and longtime moderator of the library's Great Decisions series.
Jim Smith was the U.S. Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, alum and Professor at the National War College (NWC), and current President of the NWC Alumni Association.

More information about each topic may be found on the FPA's website.

Each individual must register to reserve a seat. Briefing books will be loaned to attendees with a Delaware library card, as supplies last. Households will be asked to share a Briefing Book. You also may purchase a Briefing Book.