Great Decisions 2006

Television Program Information

Short Description:
Great Decisions is a thirteen-part television series devoted to international affairs and foreign policy. On its 20th season, it is known to be the longest running television series devoted to global issues.

Hosted by:
Ralph J. Begleiter, former CNN World Affairs correspondent

Produced by:
The Foreign Policy Association (New York, NY)

2006 Season:

In 2006, each episode focuses on one of thirteen current issues including United Nations Reform, Global Energy Outlook, Global Health Pandemics, Brazil, the Rise of China and India, Human Rights and Turkey. In addition to these episodes are five Global Economy Specials.

Global Economy Specials for 2006 hosted by:
John Donvan, correspondent for ABC News "Nightline," and Henry Kaufman, economist and former Managing Director of Salomon Brothers, Inc.

Programs for 2006:
Episode 1. UN Reform: Pipe Dream or Possibility?
Guests:
Sir Emyr Jones Parry, UK Ambassador to the United Nations
Edward Luck, Columbia University, School of International and Public Affairs

Episode 2: Understanding Iran
Guests:
Juan Cole, Professor, Modern Middle East and S. Asian History, University of Michigan
Ervand Abrahamian, Dist. Professor, CUNY Department of History, Baruch College

Episode 3. Global Energy Outlook
Guests:
Paul Roberts, Author, The End of Oil
Vijay V. Vaitheeswaran, Author, Power to the People, and global environment and energy correspondent,
The Economist

Episode 4. Brazil: The Long Road to Economic Stability
Guests:
Albert Fishlow, Professor, International Affairs, Columbia University
Mauricio Font, Bildner Center for Western Hemisphere Studies, CUNY

Episode 5. Asian Giants: The Rise of India and China

Episode 6.

Episode 7. Between Two Worlds: Turkey in the Spotlight

Episode8. Global Health Pandemics: Preparing for the Worst

Episode 9. Global Economy Special: Global Security and the World Economy
Guest: Zbigniew Brzezinski, former National Security Advisor, Author, The Choice: Global Domination or Global Leadership

Episode 10. Global Economy Special: US Foreign Policy & Fiscal Responsibility
Guest: Lawrence Korb, Senior Fellow at the Center for American Progress and a Senior Adviser to the Center for Defense Information

Episode 11. Global Economy Special: Ruts in the Road to the Rise of Asia
Guest: Francis Fukuyama, Bernard L. Schwartz Professor of Int'l Political Economy, Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced Int'l Studies, Johns Hopkins Univ.

Episode 12. Global Economy Special: Housing: Bubble Boom or the New Face of Globalization
Guests: Douglas Duncan, Chief Economist, Mortgage Bankers Association
Robert Schiller, Professor of Economics, Yale University

Episode 13. Global Economy Special: Improving Corporate Governance for a Stronger World Economy
Guests: William J. McDonough, former Pres. of the New York Fed, Former Chairman of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) at the SEC
Dennis Nally, Chairman and senior US partner of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Station Market
KUAS                 Tucson (Sierra Vista), (AZ)
KUAT6&DT2    Tucson (Sierra Vista), (AZ)
KVCR24            Los Angeles and San Bernardino (CA)
KQEDW9        San Francisco, Oakland and San Jose (CA)
WHUT             Washington, DC
WGCU30/31 & WGCUSD Fort Myers and Naples (FL)
WBCC                 Orlando, Daytona Beach and Melbourne (FL)
WKMJ                Louisville (KY)
WKPCDT           Louisville (KY)
WTVS56             Detroit (MI)
WFUM               Flint, Saginaw and Bay City (MI)
WNET13             New York (NY)
KRSC                  Tulsa (OK)
KOAB3             Bend (OR)
KOAC 7&10       Corvallis (OR)
KEPB                  Eugene (OR)
KOAC                 Eugene (OR)
K59BO                Portland (OR)
KOPB                  Portland (OR)
KTVR13, 3,7,10,28,etc.  Portland (OR)
WLVTDT39     Allentown, Bethlehem, Easton and Philadelphia (PA)
WTCI45&DT29 Chattanooga (TN)
WCFE                 Burlington (VT) and Plattsburgh (NY)

2007 Season:

Episode 1. Middle East

Although the U.S. will remain closely engaged in Iraq during the next year, other factors have emerged to challenge stability in the region. Iran's nuclear program, the outcome of the conflict in Lebanon, and Israeli-Palestinian negotiations will all play a key role. How will these issues shape the Middle East?

    Program Title: Media in the Middle East
    (A look at the role of a free press in the Arab World)
    Guests:
    Duncan MacInness, Director of the State Department's Foreign Press Centers
    Adel Iskandar, Al-Jazeera

Episode 2. Climate Change

How much are human practices contributing to substantial and irreversible changes to the environment? What effect are changes to the climate having in different areas of the planet? What response can the international community adopt to lessen the impact of dramatic climate change?

Episode 3. Mexico

The results of Mexico's presidential election were nearly too close to call, how will this result affect the new Mexican administration's policies? Can Felipe Calderón successfully reform Mexico's policies on energy, trade and border security and strengthen relations with the United States?

Episode 4. Migration

The movement of people across international borders can be initiated by conflict, economic reasons or the chance to achieve political freedoms. Migration issues have taken center-stage in the U.S. and EU, as citizens increasingly worry about job security and terrorism. What are the advantages and disadvantages for countries that are affected by migration?

    Program Title: Crossing Borders: A Look at International Migration
    Guests:
    Joseph Chamie, Director of Research at the Center for Migration Studies
    Doris Meissner, Former Commissioner, U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service

Episode 5.   South Africa

South Africa is the most developed country in Africa and has been an active leader on the continent, yet is still struggles with major issues in the post-Apartheid era. What are the political challenges facing South Africa? What impact is the AIDS epidemic playing on South Africa's economy and society?

Program Title: Spotlight on South Africa: Renaissance or Regression?
Guests: Charlayne Hunter-Gault (New News Out of Africa), Author, discusses the challenges facing the people of Africa, including poverty and AIDS.

Episode 6. War Crimes

The creation of the International Criminal Court has established a new venue for investigating and prosecuting war crimes, despite a lack of U.S. participation. Will the non-participation of the U.S. weaken the power of the ICC? What challenges are faced by the ICC in punishing war criminals?

Episode 7. Central Asia

Rich in energy supplies and strategically located, the five countries of Central Asia attract attention from the Middle East, China, Russia and the United States. How will international competition for energy supplies affect each country? What are U.S. interests in the region?

Episode 8. Children

Ensuring the safety and proper development of children is the stated goal of the global community, yet in some countries, children are exposed to unsafe labor practices, human trafficking, and participation in combat. What role do private donors, governments and international organizations play in ensuring health care, education and safety for the world's children?

--- More episode descriptions to follow, or visit your local PBS station. ---

Stations and Schedules:

KQED 9                       San Francisco (CA)
KTEH 54               San Jose (CA)
WTVS 56                     Detroit (MI)
WNET 13                    New York
WHUT 32                   Washington, DC

-- More stations to be listed --