Great Decisions 2026: Ruptured Alliances & the Risk of Nuclear Proliferation
2026-05-07 17:30 - 19:30 (America/New_York) | Lee Auditorium, Wishcamper Center, 34 Bedfort St, Portland, ME, 04104, United States
Great Decisions 2026: The Future of U.S. Global Leadership Keynote Series
Ruptured Alliances & the Risk of Nuclear Proliferation
with Heather Williams, Director, Project on Nuclear Issues and Senior Fellow, Defense and Security, CSIS, moderated by Rebecca Davis-Gibbons
May 7, 2026, 5:30-7:30 PM, 34 Bedford Street, Portland
What happens when America’s allies begin to doubt U.S. security commitments—could it trigger a new wave of nuclear proliferation? Heather Williams directs the Project on Nuclear Issues at the Center for Strategic and International Studies and serves on the Defense Science Board. A leading voice on arms control, deterrence, and nuclear risks, she has advised the U.S. government and the UK House of Lords on nuclear policy. Join us for a vital conversation on whether the global architecture that has prevented nuclear spread for decades can survive an era of great power rivalry.
Address: Lee Auditorium, Wishcamper Center, 34 Bedford Street, Portland 5:30-6:15 PM: Reception 6:15-7:30 PM: Keynote

Great Decisions is the largest and longest-running discussion program on foreign policy in the United States, offered locally by the World Affairs Council of Maine since 1980. Thanks to the generous support of our Global Benefactor “Coffee by Design,” we are offering a public lecture series in addition to our regular discussion series co-hosted with the Falmouth Memorial Library.
Note: Public lectures will be recorded to support Great Decisions discussion groups in Maine, including our annual member-facilitated series at the Falmouth Library beginning March 24, 2026.
Reserve your spot today and be part of this essential conversation on the crossroads of American foreign policy.
Tickets:
$10 for members
$15 non-members
Maine Students FREE
REGISTER HERE

Great Decisions 2026: Democracy & the Future of U.S. Foreign Policy
2026-05-14 17:30 - 19:30
Great Decisions 2026: The Future of U.S. Global Leadership Keynote Series
Democracy & the Future of U.S. Foreign Policy
with Ambassador (ret.) Derek Mitchell, Senior Adviser to the President and Asia Program, CSIS
May 14, 2026, 5:30-7:30 PM, 34 Bedford Street, Portland
What role should democracy play in American foreign policy—and how do we balance values with interests in an era of great power competition? Ambassador Derek Mitchell brings more than three decades of experience navigating these questions across government, diplomacy, and the nonprofit sector. As the first U.S. Ambassador to Burma in 22 years during its political opening, and later as president of the National Democratic Institute, he has seen firsthand the promises and limits of democratic engagement. Join us for a capstone conversation on one of the most enduring debates in American foreign policy.
Address: Lee Auditorium, Wishcamper Center, 34 Bedford Street, Portland, RECEPTION: 5:30-6:00 PM; KEYNOTE 6:05-7:30 PM

Great Decisions is the largest and longest-running discussion program on foreign policy in the United States, offered locally by the World Affairs Council of Maine since 1980. Thanks to the generous support of our Global Benefactor “Coffee by Design,” we are offering a public lecture series in addition to our regular discussion series co-hosted with the Falmouth Memorial Library.
Note: Public lectures will be recorded to support Great Decisions discussion groups in Maine, including our annual member-facilitated series at the Falmouth Library beginning March 24, 2026.
Reserve your spot today and be part of this essential conversation on the crossroads of American foreign policy.
Tickets:
$10 for members
$15 non-members
Maine Students FREE
REGISTER HERE
