Dr. Noel Pugach, UNM
January 20, 2017

Foreign relations specialists, public intellectuals and politicians have been debating the decline of American power, its causes, and America’s future role in world affairs. A few advocate further retrenchment and even a return to “isolationism.” Others bemoan our present status and predict dire consequences if we do not strengthen our position. Several probe the vague middle ground. Dr. Pugach will review how and why we achieved predominance and examine if it is sustainable in the foreseeable future. He will then examine some possible options and indicate their consequences. Dr. Pugach will argue that we cannot defer the question indefinitely and that we should give a clear indication that we will play a role. That requires that we make serious efforts to reach a consensus on that role in the face of political risks and public unease.

Dr. Noel H. Pugach is Professor Emeritus of History at the University of New Mexico, where he taught for 38.5 years. He specialized in U.S. Foreign relations with an emphasis on Sino-American connections He has written two books on the subject and has edited, co-authored, and contributed to several others. He has also published numerous scholarly articles and semi-popular pieces in various journals. He has presented papers at professional meetings, lectures widely in the state, and was invited to participate at an international conference in Beijing in 2006.

Supported by New Mexico Humanities Council and Sandia National Labs