Our National Security: Will “America First” Save Us? [Falmouth]

The Falmouth Memorial Library will host a Camden Conference Community Event on Saturday, January 9, at 11:00 a.m. “In every thing we do, we are putting America first.” These words frame our country’s current National Security Strategy. Our strategic concept, you might think, shapes how we behave in the world. But does it? And does it matter? Bill Hall will look at the US National Security Strategy and explore how it drives – or contrasts with – the administration’s actions in matters that affect our lives. Bill will look at our approaches to Russia, China, and Europe as well to international institutions, trade, alliances. Will this “strategy,” as played out, really make us better off?

Presenter Bill Hall was an intelligence officer for the US Air Force, on active duty from 1969 until 1999, much of that time overseas – in Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. He received a bachelor’s degree in politics from Princeton University and a master’s degree in foreign affairs from the University of Virginia. After his military career, Bill worked for Martin’s Point Health Care in Portland as the company’s military relations manager. Now retired, Bill lives year-round on Peaks Island with his wife, Nancy. He’s a past president of the World Affairs Council of Maine and currently serves on the board of the Camden Conference.