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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260205T170000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260305T193000
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SUMMARY:Great Decisions 2026 Evening Keynote Series: The Future of U.S. Global Leadership
DESCRIPTION:Great Decisions 2026 Evening Keynote Series \nThe Future of U.S. Global Leadership\nA six part series on the future of U.S. Foreign Policy\nWhat does the future hold for American foreign policy? Join the World Affairs Council of Maine for six evenings of in-depth insight on the most pressing global challenges facing the United States today. From the U.S.-China relationship to the war in Ukraine\, from trade policy to nuclear proliferation\, this series brings world-class speakers to Portland to help us make sense of a rapidly changing world. Each evening includes a networking reception\, keynote address\, and audience Q&A. \nSeries Schedule: \nFebruary 5 – US–China Relations Sean Stein\, President\, US–China Business Council \nFebruary 12 – Ukraine & the Future of European Security Mariana Budjeryn\, Senior Research Associate\, Harvard Belfer Center \nMarch 5 – Tariffs\, Foreign Policy\, & the Future of the World Economy Andreas Waldkirch\, Mitchell Family Professor of Economics\, Colby College \nMarch 26 – U.S. & Africa Michelle Lenihan\, Deputy Commissioner\, Maine DVEM (former Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for African Affairs) and Matthew T. Page\, Associate Fellow\, Africa Programme\, Chatham House \nApril 2 – Ruptured Alliances & the Risk of Nuclear Proliferation Heather Williams\, Director\, Project on Nuclear Issues and Senior Fellow\, Defense and Security\, CSIS \nMay 16 – Democracy & the Future of U.S. Foreign Policy Ambassador (ret.) Derek Mitchell\, Senior Adviser to the President and Asia Program\, CSIS \n\nEvent Details: \nTime: 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM (all sessions) Location: Lee Auditorium\, Wishcamper Center\, 34 Bedford Street\, Portland \nSchedule for Each Evening: \n\n5:30 PM – 6:15 PM: Networking Reception with light refreshments\n6:15 PM – 7:30 PM: Keynote Address and Q&A\n\n\nSave by registering for the full series! Individual event tickets also available. \n\n\n\nSeries Pass (All 6 Events)\n\n\n\n\n\nWAC207 Members\n$60\n\n\nGeneral Public\n$75\n\n\n\n\nMAINE STUDENTS ARE ALWAYS FREE! \nReserve your spot today and be part of this essential conversation on the crossroads of American foreign policy. \n\nReminder emails: Series pass holders will receive a reminder email before each session with event details and any updates. \nIf you have any questions or need to modify your registration\, please contact us at memberservices@wacmaine.org. \nWe look forward to seeing you throughout the spring as we explore the future of U.S. global leadership together. Thank you for your commitment to informed global citizenship!
URL:https://wacmaine.org/event/great-decisions-2026-evening-keynote-series-the-future-of-u-s-global-leadership/
LOCATION:Lee Auditorium\, Wishcamper Center\, 34 Bedfort St\, Portland\, ME\, 04104\, United States
CATEGORIES:Great Decisions
ORGANIZER;CN="World Affairs Council of Maine":MAILTO:info@wacmaine.org
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260205T173000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260205T193000
DTSTAMP:20260418T101030
CREATED:20260106T192754Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260131T183255Z
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SUMMARY:U.S.-China Relations
DESCRIPTION:Great Decisions 2026 Keynote Lecture Series: The Future of U.S. Global Leadership\nU.S.-China Relations\nwith Sam Stein\, President of the U.S. China Business Council\nFebruary 5\, 2026\, 5:30-7:30 PM\, 34 Bedford Street. Portland \nWhat’s at stake for American business and diplomacy as the U.S.-China relationship enters a new era? Sean Stein brings nearly three decades of diplomatic experience—including service as U.S. Consul General in Shanghai and Shenyang—combined with deep expertise advising multinational corporations on navigating the world’s most consequential bilateral relationship. As president of the US-China Business Council\, he represents more than 270 American companies operating in China and advocates for balanced engagement between the two economic superpowers. Join us for an insider’s perspective on the future of U.S.-China relations.Great Decisions is the largest and longest-running discussion program on foreign policy in the Unite 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. \nThis inaugural public lecture of our 2026 Great Decisions Series. The series will delve into pressing global challenges and the decisions shaping the United States’ future role on the world stage. \n📅 Date: February 5\, 2026\n📍 Location: Lee Auditorium\, Wishcamper Center\, 34 Bedford Street\, Portland\n⏰ Time: 5:30 – 7.30 \nReserve your spot today and be part of this essential conversation on the crossroads of American foreign policy. \nTickets: \n$12 for members \n$20 non-members \nMaine Students FREE \nREGISTER HERE \n 
URL:https://wacmaine.org/event/u-s-china-relations/
LOCATION:Lee Auditorium\, Wishcamper Center\, 34 Bedfort St\, Portland\, ME\, 04104\, United States
CATEGORIES:Great Decisions
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260212T173000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260212T193000
DTSTAMP:20260418T101030
CREATED:20260106T195431Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260201T125849Z
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SUMMARY:Ukraine & the Future of European Security
DESCRIPTION:Great Decisions 2026 Keynote Lecture Series: The Future of U.S. Global Leadership\nUkraine & the Future of European Security\nwith Mariana Budjeryn\, Senior Research Associate\, Harvard Belfer Center.​ Moderated by Prof. Rebecca Davis-Gibbons\n \nFebruary 12\, 2026\, 5:30-7:30 PM\, 34 Bedford Street. Portland \nHow did Ukraine come to possess—and then relinquish—the world’s third-largest nuclear arsenal\, and what does that history tell us about European security today? Mariana Budjeryn is the author of Inheriting the Bomb: The Collapse of the USSR and the Nuclear Disarmament of Ukraine\, winner of the 2024 William E. Colby Military Writers’ Award. A native of Ukraine and one of the world’s leading experts on post-Soviet nuclear history\, she brings unparalleled insight into the forces shaping the war in Ukraine and the future of the European security order. \n📅 Date: February 12\, 2026\n📍 Location: Lee Auditorium\, Wishcamper Center\, 34 Bedford Street\, Portland\n⏰ Time: 5:30 – 7.30 \nReserve your spot today and be part of this essential conversation on the crossroads of American foreign policy. \nTickets: \n$10 for members \n$15 non-members \nMaine Students FREE \nREGISTER HERE \n 
URL:https://wacmaine.org/event/ukraine-the-future-of-european-security/
LOCATION:Lee Auditorium\, Wishcamper Center\, 34 Bedfort St\, Portland\, ME\, 04104\, United States
CATEGORIES:Great Decisions
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ORGANIZER;CN="World Affairs Council of Maine":MAILTO:info@wacmaine.org
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260219T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260219T110000
DTSTAMP:20260418T101030
CREATED:20260210T164110Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260218T001045Z
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SUMMARY:Coffee and Discussion (In-Person) at Magno Terra in Yarmouth
DESCRIPTION:A monthly discussion of world events for members. In-person meetings are held every third Thursday of the month. Currently the group will be meeting at the Magno Terra Cafe in Yarmouth (#2 Delorme St – immediately to the right of exit 17 on 295 if you are coming from Portland). \n\nDate & Time: February 19th\, from 10:00 AM-11:00 AM \nPlace: Community Room – Magno Terra Cafe\, 2 Delorme St. Yarmouth\, ME \nDiscussion leader: Ghomri Rostampour  \nProposed topic: The World Economy and Inflation \nReadings: \n\nAmericans for Prosperity. (2026\, February 13). Lowest inflation rate in over a year shows the economy is moving in the right direction. Americans for Prosperity. https://americansforprosperity.org/press-release/lowest-inflation-rate-in-over-a-year-shows-the-economy-is-moving-in-the-right-direction/  \nInternational Monetary Fund. (2026\, January). World Economic Outlook Update\, January 2026: Global economy: Steady amid divergent forces. IMF. https://www.imf.org/en/publications/weo/issues/2026/01/19/world-economic-outlook-update-january-2026  \nCouncil on Foreign Relations. (n.d.). Global inflation tracker. https://www.cfr.org/trackers/global-inflation-tracker  \nDeloitte. (n.d.). Weekly global economic update. Deloitte Insights. https://www.deloitte.com/us/en/insights/topics/economy/global-economic-outlook/weekly-update.html \nThe Economist. (2025\, October 8). Why Donald Trump’s tariffs are failing to break global trade. The Economist. https://www.economist.com/finance-and-economics/2025/10/08/why-donald-trumps-tariffs-are-failing-to-break-global-trade \n\nREGISTER HERE OR ABOVE.
URL:https://wacmaine.org/event/coffee-and-discussion-in-person-at-magno-terra-in-yarmouth-5/
LOCATION:Magno Terra Cafe\, 2 Delorme Dr\, Yarmouth\, ME\, 04096
CATEGORIES:Coffee and Discussion
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