Great Decisions: The Philippines And The U.S. (airs on WSCS TV)

The Philippines has had a special relationship with the United States since the islands were ceded by Spain to the United States after the Spanish-American War at the end of the 19th century.  However, since the election of Rodrigo Duterte, the country has pivoted more toward China, and away from the U.S.  Duterte has also launched a large scale war on drugs that many criticize for its brutality.  What does the future hold for U.S. relations with the Philippines?

Speaker John Katzka ia a retired Senior Foreign Service Officer with the rank of Counselor of the Foreign Service.  He is a Wisconsin native and UWM graduate, and completed graduate work at George Washington and American Universities in Sino-Soviet Politics.  He then served in United States Air Force for 4 years, leaving with the rank of Sergeant.   

He joined the Foreign Service in 1970, with his Foreign Service and Federal career spanning 38 years.  As a Foreign Service Officer John served in Thailand for five years; completed two tours in Moscow; and served five years in Yugoslavia, three in Zambia, over two in Romania, as well as in various Washington assignments.  John also completed four “special envoy” assignments:  to Kosovo after the shooting stopped, to Yugoslavia to help reestablish relations, to Macedonia after their civil war and to Paris.....possibly as a bonus for his earlier duties! 

He has been a regular on UWM's TV program "International Focus" and conducts programs on foreign affairs at the Cedarburg Library.

Broadcast on Sheboygan Community TV Station - WSCS:

Charter/Spectrum channel 990 and ATT U-Verse 99

Available for streaming or viewing:  

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Mead Library YouTube Channel (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVdPU2fPnGt9YUFBw1OEkvQ)

Sheboygan Community Station WSCS web site (https://www.wscssheboygan.com/)

WSCS YouTube Channel (https://www.youtube.com/user/WSCSSheboygan)