1. The first paragraph of a news article should answer the questions who, what, where and when. List the who, what, where and when of this news item. (NOTE: The remainder of a news article provides details on the why and/or how.)

2. What will be the focus of the 3,000 U.S. troops President Obama is sending to West Africa?

3. Describe the type of assistance we will give the countries experiencing this epidemic.

4. a) How did President Obama explain his decision to take this action? Be specific.
b) In a 2008 presidential debate against Hillary Clinton, then-candidate Obama argued against “the sense that we [the U.S.] stands above the rest of the world” - do you think President Obama would still argue today that “the U.S. does not stand above the rest of the world”? Explain your answer.

5. What is Ebola? When was it identified? How many people have so far died from Ebola? (see “Background” below for further information)

6. Wikipedia describes The World Health Organization (WHO) as “a specialized agency of the United Nations (UN) that is concerned with international public health. Its current priorities include communicable diseases, in particular, HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis; the mitigation of the effects of non-communicable diseases; sexual and reproductive health, development, and aging; nutrition, food security and healthy eating; occupational health; substance abuse; and drive the development of reporting, publications, and networking. (from wikipedia)
a) Describe the WHO’s reaction to the President’s announcement.
b) The WHO’s annual budget is around $5 billion. Most of this money comes from the UN member states (and some from private donors). The U.S. is the largest contributor to the WHO (the U.S. gives the WHO around $120 million per year. In addition, the U.S. gives the UN $7 billion per year).
Why do you think the WHO could not do with WHO employees what the U.S. is doing to help West Africa combat ebola?
(Consider the idea of “American exceptionalism” that some like to argue is not real. Consider the fact that no other country in the world is doing what we are doing to help West Africa.)

7.  The U.S. has always provided humanitarian aid around the world. President Bush dedicated $5 billion to Africa to combat AIDS.  We have sent/offered troops to help rescue and recovery efforts in the aftermath of natural disasters, etc.  Do you think this is a good use of our tax dollars?  Explain your answer.