1. For each of the 3 countries, give the following information:
a) location/the countries that share its borders
b) the religious breakdown of the population
c) the type of government
d) the chief of state (and head of government if different) [If monarch or dictator, since what date has he/she ruled? - include name of heir apparent for monarch]
e) the population

[Find the answers at the CIA World FactBook website. For each country, answers can be found under the "Geography" "People" and "Government" headings.  Go to worldatlas.com for a list of continents.]

2. For Iran:
a) list the who, what, where and when of the news item
b) Americans Shane Bauer and Josh Fattal have already been held in an Iranian jail on the false accusation of "spying for the U.S." for over two years.  What do you think of the U.S. government response to their imprisonment in Iran...and our actions to free the two men?
c)  Ask a parent the same question.
d)  Read about the three hikers under "Background" below.  Wikipedia states the three friends "are anti-war, social justice and Palestine Solidarity Movement activists"  who were "living and active in the Middle East" and that they were "advised of the suitability of the region [on the Iran/Iraq border] for a holiday by friends who had been there and through Internet research."  If they had not been arrested by the Iranians, would you have supported their vacation choice?  Explain your answer.

3. For Israel:
a) list the who, what, where and when of the news item
b) Read the "Background" on Israel.  What does the Israeli government say was the terrorists' motive for this particular attack on Israelis?
c) When Israel retaliated against the terrorists from Gaza, who was their target?
d) Many Hamas rockets shot into Israel from Gaza do not injure any citizens.  Should the Israeli military take this into account when deciding whether to fire back, and destroy terrorist camps?  Explain your answer.

4. For Syria:
a) list the who, what, where and when of the news item
b) How many citizens have been killed by President Bashar Assad's troops since they began their protests five months ago?

NOTE: "Answers by Email" will resume September 6th. Sign-up below.