The OLLI International Affairs Special Interest Group will meet next on Wednesday, April 5, at 3 p.m. at Stauffer’s, 5600 South 48. Jerry Petr, UNL professor emeritus in Economics, will moderate the discussion. He offers the following topics and resources:
I. The U.S. in the international economy:
In the United States we seem to have turned the corner into a “post-globalization” policy posture (no TPP; revise or reject NAFTA; etc.). This is a significant change from our general post-WWII international outlook.
a. What might be the consequences for the United States, domestically and internationally?
b. Who benefits, and who is hurt, by this shift in policy?
c. What outcomes might we expect over the next few years?
https://www.forbes.com/sites/alexcapri/2017/01/26/whats-next-for-asia-after-trumps-america-leaves-tpp/#2ad5bf0fe479
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2017/01/23/4-things-to-watch-now-that-the-u-s-has-withdrawn-from-tpp-trade-deal/?utm_term=.7b4f68debfb2
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2017/upshot/what-is-nafta.html
II. What is Russia up to?
In 2017, Russia looms larger in international political discussions than in any time since the collapse of the Soviet Union nearly three decades ago.
a. What do you make of Russian political, economic and military activity over the past two years?
b. What seem to be Russia’s foreign policy objectives?
https://www.nytimes.com/2016/12/19/opinion/russian-meddling-and-europes-elections.html
http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Passcode/Passcode-Voices/2017/0208/Opinion-The-trouble-with-Trump-s-Russia-reset
http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/article/2017/feb/22/all-possible-ties-between-trump-and-russia/
III. Who is the Greatest Threat?
Finally, let’s take a little poll. Last month, someone in this discussion group asserted that “X” is the greatest threat to world peace. I don’t remember who “X” was, but I wondered what the OLLI members assembled in the room would regard as the greatest threat.
So, let’s discuss that a little bit. Rank the following entities in order of the likelihood that each might light a match to major international conflict. List your top five from among, in alphabetical order: China, India, Iran, Israel, Pakistan, Palestinian Authority, North Korea, Russia, Syria, United States.
Type into your internet browser the country you choose as threat to world peace and see what you find.
Suggested reading:
http://brilliantmaps.com/threat-to-peace/
http://www.businessinsider.com/views-of-the-threats-to-the-world-2016-7
See you on April 5.