Great Decisions, an international affairs discussion group, will present a series of talks beginning January 30 to celebrate its 16th year in Durango.

Discussions will be open to the public, held from 11:45 a.m. to 1:45 p.m. every other Tuesday at the Durango Public Library, 1900 East Third Ave. Presenters will provide background materials and lead discussions on eight international relations topics selected by the Foreign Policy Association.

The following discussions are scheduled:

Jan. 30: Denis Aaronson, a Peace Corps volunteer and former senior instructional designer, will present “U.S. Global Engagement and the Military.”Feb. 13: Mike Todt, a clinical psychologist, former executive coach and management consultant for Fortune 500 companies, local volunteer and outdoors enthusiast, will present “Global Health: Progress and Challenges.”Feb. 27: Kim Martin, a retired Fort Lewis College professor, will present “China and America: The New Geopolitical Equation.”March 13: Paul DeBell, a Fort Lewis College assistant professor of political science, will present “Media and Foreign Policy.”March 27: Ruth Alminas, a Fort Lewis College assistant professor of political science, will present “Turkey: A partner in Crisis.”April 10: Gail Harris, the first woman in the U.S. Navy to serve as an intelligence officer in combat, will present “Russian Foreign Policy.”April 24: Katherine Burgess, a history professor and former State Department employee, will present “South Africa’s Fragile Democracy.”May 8: Curt Johnson, a retired teacher and administrator with 35 years of experience in all levels of public education, will present “The Waning of Pax Americana?”The Foreign Policy Association offers a DVD and book to cover the selected topics. A topic from the DVD will be shown during each discussion session, and the book is available for $26.

To purchase the book, email Susan McGinness at mcginnesssss@gmail.com.

For more information, visit www.fpa.org/great_decisions.

fstone@durangoherald.com