Conversation Topics
Click on the links below to find materials gathered by participants in the Middle East Conversation group, later World Affairs Conversation group, led by Dr. Edward Knox at People Plus since the group was created in the Fall of 2012.
Note: With so many overlapping themes, some materials may be found under more than one topic, or in only one topic and not in another equally appropriate topic, or misplaced altogether. You just have to poke around....
Note: With so many overlapping themes, some materials may be found under more than one topic, or in only one topic and not in another equally appropriate topic, or misplaced altogether. You just have to poke around....
Specific Countries or Regions:
- Afghanistan & Pakistan
- Africa
- Algeria
- China
- Cuba
- Egypt
- Europe & the Eurozone
- India & Pakistan
- Iran
- Iraq
- Israel, Palestine & Gaza
- Korea - North & South
- Maine (formerly "Geography of Maine")
- Russia & Ukraine
- Saudi Arabia, Yemen & Qatar
- Syria, Lebanon & Jordan
- Turkey
- United Kingdom, including Brexit
- Venezuela
- Vietnam
Other Topics (many overlapping...):
- US Foreign Policy (Note: Because there was so much overlap between the two web pages, this page merges "U.S. Foreign Policy: Mideast" and "U.S. Foreign Policy: What has it been? What is it now? What should it be going forward?")
- US Global Military Presence & Defense Policy (see also "US Foreign Policy" page)
- Official Corruption in the U.S.: How extensive? How does it impact our standing in the world?
- Intelligence Agencies & Cyberwarfare
- What is this country's existential threat?
- United Nations
- Migration & Immigration
- Finance & Trade, including Trans-Pacific Partnership
- Middle East Arms Race
- Sunni-Shii'a Schism
- Terrorism & the Islamic State (IS/ISIL/ISIS/Daesh)
- Radicalization plus Imperialism & Power
- Perceptions of Christianity and Islam - including Religious Persecution
- Speed of Life: Technological & Cultural Changes
- Common Behaviors of Selected Nations
- Fear and Our Societal Response
- Governance. Lack of Trust. Lack of Consensus.
- Education (Note: page originally titled "Public Education in America: The History, and Where We’re Headed" now includes items on the general topic of education)
- Energy in the World, Power & Cost
Topics with committed presenters (dates to be determined):
- Commercialization Focus by Countries
- Global Rise of Authoritarianism
- Vietnam 's Opening Up to World Markets
- Cults of Personality: 5 Historical Profiles
- Impact of Brexit on the UK and the EU
Suggested topics for future discussions:
- Is a China/USA Military Confrontation Inevitable?
- Global Over-Population
- Global Migration Crisis
- Progression of Extremist Islamic Factions
- European Union: Decade of Decline
- Socialism: Potential Impact on 2020 Election
- Oil: impact on economies, societies, governance, militaries, environments (link to "Energy in the World..." web page)
- Media: Trends, Skills & Costs
- Climate Change & the State of Our Planet
- Impact of 1453: the Fall of Constantinople