The United States and Middle East are at a crossroads. In spite of a reduced presence in the Middle East, the U.S. still has significant national interests there and the area is a key arena for global power politics. Can the U.S. continue to defend its interests in the Middle East and globally with a lower level of military and political involvement, or should it recommit to a leading role in the region?

Speaker Info: Henry Berman is a retired businessman, working for 34 years at Ecolab, a global company based in St Paul. Henry has personal ties to the Middle East Region and has spent much time there in the last decade. He has a strong interest in the ever-changing dynamics in this turbulent part of the world, including the emerging continent of Africa.

The Great Decisions program provides background information and policy options for the eight most critical issues facing America each year and serves as the focal text for discussion groups across the country. The Great Decisions program was created by the Foreign Policy Association. The mission of the Foreign Policy Association today, as it has been for over 100 years, is to serve as a catalyst for developing awareness, understanding, and informed opinion on U.S. foreign policy and global issues. Through its balanced, nonpartisan programs and publications, the FPA encourages citizens to participate in the foreign policy process.

This program is brought to the community through a partnership with the Edina Senior Center, the Edina Library and Edina Community Ed.

The Friends of the Edina Library and Global Minnesota have graciously co-sponsored this program.