Forum Network

The situation in Myanmar, including the coup by the military in February 2021 and the ongoing human rights crises, coupled with civil resistance by those opposed to the regime, has led to chaos in the Southeast Asian country. How are neighboring countries reacting, and what role will ASEAN play? Join us for this installation of our Great Decisions series, when we host Tom Andrews, UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar. This event will take place virtually only.

As part of the U.S. pivot to Asia, the United States has been in dialogue with Japan, Australia, and India in an effort to contain China. This strengthening of ties, known as the Quad alliance, comes at a time when the relationship between the U.S. and China is becoming increasingly more fraught, particularly in light of recent events, such as joint naval exercises in the South Pacific by Quad countries, and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's recent trip to Taiwan. Given these complex factors, how effective will the actions of the Quad alliance be in countering China? Join us for this installation of our Great Decisions series, when we host Kevin Rudd, President of the Asia Society and former Primer Minister of Australia.

The launch of Sputnik 1 in October 1957 marked the beginning of the space era and of the space race between the United States and the Soviet Union. In the 21st century, there are many more participants in space, including countries such as India and China, and commercial companies such as SpaceX. How will the United States fare in a crowded outer space? Join us for a discussion of this complex topic with Lori Garver, former Deputy Administrator of NASA.

The issue of migration to the United States from Latin America has overshadowed the war on drugs, which has been underway for decades with little signs of progress. What are the roots and the bureaucratic logic behind today's dominant drug policies in Latin America? Is it time to reconsider punitive drug policies that disrupt supply chains and punish drug possession? Join WorldBoston at the Boston Public Library for the latest installment in the Great Decisions series, focusing on "Drug Policy in Latin America" and featuring Dr. Evan Ellis Research Professor of Latin American Studies at the U.S. Army War College Strategic Studies Institute.

Russia and the United States have many areas of conflict and some possible areas of mutual interest. Arms control, Russian interference in U.S. elections and support of cyberattacks, and the fate of opposition politicians in Russia all continue to be concerning. Now, with Russia’s war in Ukraine, the relationship between Russia and the U.S. has become particularly fraught. How will the Biden administration approach these issues, and how will the U.S.-Russia relationship be affected for years to come? Join WorldBoston for a discussion of this complex topic with Dr. Alexandra Vacroux, Executive Director of the Davis Center for Russian and Eurasian Studies at Harvard University.

The world experienced remarkable demographic changes in the 20th century that continue today and have resulted in far-reaching social, economic, political, and environmental consequences all over the globe. These consequences are creating mounting challenges to development efforts, security, the environment, as well as the sustainability of human populations. How will changing demographics impact the future? Join us at the Boston Public Library for our first in-person Great Decisions program since 2020! This program will simultaneously be streamed to Zoom from 6:00 to 7:00 PM ET.