“What’s Next for the Country?” is a series of four panels that take a closer look at some of the main issues that are the focus of the Donald Trump presidency and new Republican majority in both chambers of Congress. The series hopes to clarify these major concerns and inspire discussion in the Carleton and larger Northfield community based on informed opinions.
See the CEDI Calendar of Events for more information about these panel discussions.
What’s Next for the Country: Immigration, Civil & Political Rights
The first event of a four-part series asking “What’s Next for the Country?”, this discussion is focused on immigration, civil and political rights, and the interests of minorities. Panelists are Benjamin Casper Sánchez ’90, an immigration attorney with 16 years of experience litigating before the immigration courts, U.S. District, Appeals, and the Supreme Court; Ian Bratlie, an immigration lawyer and staff attorney of ACLU-MN; Julio Zelaya, Coordinator of the Greater MN Racial Justice Project of the ACLU; and Michael Minta, an associate professor in Political Science at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities.
What’s Next for the Country? Health Care
The second in a four-part series asking “What’s Next for the Country?”, this discussion is focused on health care. Al Montero, Professor of Political Science, Director of Advising and Faculty Diversity Recruitment, and Director of Political Economy, welcomes panelists Ashley Hodgson, Assistant Professor of Economics at St. Olaf College, Steve Underdahl, CEO and President of Northfield Hospital and Clinics, and Sarah Gollust, Associate Professor of Health Policy and Management at the University of Minnesota School of Public Health.
What’s Next for the Country: Climate Change
The Climate Change panel included: Kim Smith, Professor of Environmental Studies and Political Science at Carleton, will speak about the effort to create a national climate policy, from the 2007 Supreme Court decision Massachusetts v EPA to President Trump’s recent Executive Order regarding the CPP. She will clarify the legal context and map out some possibilities for moving forward. Ellen Anderson ’82, Executive Director of the University of Minnesota’s Energy Transition Lab, will address trends in our energy transition – where we have been, where we are going, and what it will take to get to a functioning low-carbon energy system. Dan Hernández, Associate Professor of Biology at Carleton, will discuss how climate change threatens our conservation priorities.
What’s Next for the Country: Foreign Policy
The fourth and final focuses on foreign and security policy. This panel is timely as it will provide expert commentary on what to expect from the new president as these and other foreign policy and security challenges affect the United States. Greg Marfleet, Chair and Professor of Political Science at Carleton College, will address the Trump administration’s approach to several core principles of US foreign policy that underpin US security and economic leadership through institutions such as NATO, the UN and NAFTA. Hicham Bou Nassif, Assistant Professor of Political Science at Carleton, will discuss the Trump administration’s approach to the ongoing crisis in Syria, Iraq, and the broader Middle East. Jon Olson, visiting Instructor of Political Science at Carleton and adjunct professor at Metropolitan State University, will address the Trump Administration’s military posture vis-à-vis the many crisis areas in the world, to include Russia, China, North Korea, Syria, and the global counterinsurgency against the Islamic State and al-Qaeda.
