May 3, 2008 - U.S. Defense & Security

Please join BIAHC at the Bainbridge Public Library (1270 Madison Ave. N.) on Saturday, May 3, from 9:00 - 10:30 a.m. for coffee, refreshments, a 30-minute video, and a Great Decisions community discussion on this timely issue.

Great Decisions is a nation-wide program of the Foreign Policy Association to broaden public involvement with the most important foreign policy issues facing the United States.
Counterterrorism. Reconstruction. Nation-building. Are America's armed forces prepared to fight today's battles and simultaneously protect the homeland, or is the U.S. military dangerously overstretched? What new policies and methods should the U.S. adopt in defending its interests at home and abroad? How should its military be structured and deployed to meet new security challenges?

The discussion will be moderated by Bainbridge resident Laurence Kerr, who served as Minister-Counselor for Economic Affairs at the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City from 1998 - 2002, and earlier as Vice Consul in Guadalajara, Mexico. In spring 2006, he taught American Foreign Policy and National Security Affairs at the University of the Americas in Puebla, Mexico. He has a MS in International Relations.
While enjoying coffee and pastries, participants first view a 30-minute Foreign Policy Association DVD of a conversation between two experts on the topic to be discussed. To assist with advance preparation, please review the relevant chapter of the Great Decisions briefing book, which is available at the Bainbridge Public Library. Copies can also be purchased from BIAHC for $15.
 
THE 2008 DISCUSSION TOPICS ARE:  

• Talking to Our Enemies - Feb. 9
• Latin America: Shift to the Left? - Feb. 23
• European Union at 50 - Mar. 8
• U.S. - China Trade Policy - Mar. 22
• Russia - April 5
• Private Philanthropy - April 19
• U.S. Defense & Security Policy - May 3
• Iraq End-Game - May 17

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SPECIAL GUEST SPEAKER ON IRAQ: Sunday, May 4 ~ 4 p.m.

The final 2008 Great Decisions at the Library discussion topic is Iraq End-Game (May 17). This will be preceded by a May 4, 4 p.m., special presentation, Iraq: A Report from the Field by Dana Visalli. In his work as a biologist with the conversation group Nature Iraq, Visalli traveled three times to rural Kurdistan where he helped survey the conditions of wildlife populations. While there, he interviewed Iraqis about what life has been like in their country since the war began five years ago. He will give a powerpoint presentation on his experiences in Iraq and the human stories that he collected.

Suggested reading for special guest speaker on Iraq (May 4): From the Bainbridge Review: 

A witness: Sharing views of Iraq's destruction

 
SUGGESTED BACKGROUND READINGS FOR U.S. DEFENSE AND SECURITY (MAY 3):
National Security Strategy Document: This document, required by Congress, provides the basis of the Bush Administration's post September 11th security strategy. While the Chapter I overview is useful, the full text should be of interest to every engaged citizen. http://www.whitehouse.gov/nsc/nss4.html
 
GAO on Operational Readiness: The first eight pages of the body of the report should give the reader a good feel for the issues involves in maintaining the Armed Forces.   http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d06141.pdf

From The New York Times (you may be required to sign-up for a free membership to view articles):

No Reduction in Troops

Military Readiness: Stress Rises, if Return Tours

Military Readiness: Timeable Isn't an Exit Strategy

Further Reading:

Ferguson, Niall, The Cash Nexus: Money and Power in the Modern World; Basic Books, New York, 2001

Snow, Donald, National Security for a New Era: Globalization and Geopolitics, Pearson Longman, New York, 2004

Kaplan, Robert, Warrior Politics: Why Leadership Demands a Pagan Ethos; Vintage, New York, 2002

Luttwak, Edward, The Grand Strategy of the Roman Empire: From the First Century A.D. to the Third, The Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore, 1976

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