Great Decisions Series spotlights U.S.-Turkey relations: Is there trouble brewing?

The Turkish-American bilateral partnership has its roots embedded in the Cold War. However, since the onset of heightened instability in the region, Turkey's relationship with the U.S. has come under increased strain.

Dr. Sinan Ciddi, director of the Institute for Turkish Studies at Georgetown University, leads the next discussion in the World Affairs Council of Western Michigan's "Great Decisions" series and aims to examine the recent interactions between the two nations.

Ciddi will address the questions, "To what extent has the U.S.-Turkish relationship suffered irreparable harm?" and "Are there ways that the partnership can be rebuilt?"

On Monday, February 12, Ciddi will present "Troule Brewing: Can the U.S. and Turkey Cooperate?" at Calvin College from 12 noon to 1 p.m. and repeat his talk at Aquinas College from 6 to 7:15 p.m. Generous q-and-a times are planned at both venues.

He continues the "Great Decisions" series that most recently featured Dr. Badrianth Rao of Kettering University, who spoke on the topic "China in the World: Conundrums of a Socialist Market Economy." 

Rao said, "We've been patronizing and demeaning when it comes to China. Empathy is needed. Its achievements are astounding. But we also must recognize the deep challenges China faces in the future."  

He listed four challenge areas for China: labor unrest; envrionmental issues; government corruption; and rule of law applications.

The series is held on Mondays through March 26 and a list of speakers and topics is available at www.worldmichigan.org/greatdecisions2018. The Monday noon presentation is in the Recital Hall of the Covenant Fine Arts Center at Calvin College, and the 6 p.m. presentation is in the Performing Arts Center at Aquinas College.

For those who want to keep the dialogue going, there are after-lecture conversations facilitated by Cathy Dopp of WACWM's #globalconnections group at 7:30 p.m. immediately following the Aquinas presentation at the Derby Station resturant in East Grand Rapids.