Our National Security Strategy: Will “America First” Save Us? [Rockland and ZOOM]

The Rockland Public Library will host its next Camden Conference Community Event of the season on Thursday, November 5, at 6 p.m. Bill Hall, a retired intelligence officer for the US Air Force, will speak on the current national security strategy of the United States.

“In everything we do, we are putting America first.” these nine 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 will look at the National Security Strategy and explore how it shapes – or contrasts – with the administration’s actions in matters that affect our lives. He’ll 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.

This event will be both in person and on Zoom. For the link, please contact librarian Jeannie Sullivan ([email protected]).