NOTE TO STUDENTS:  This is a developing story.  To fully understand where the terrorists came from, how they are funded, how they were able to take over half of a previously stable African country, etc., read more on your own.  We have linked to several additional articles under "Resources" and provided some brief background below the questions.

1. Find the following information about Mali at the CIA World FactBook website or worldatlas.com:
a)  capital
b)  population
c)  border countries
d)  religious breakdown
e)  type of government
f)  location
 
2. 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 article. (NOTE: The remainder of a news article provides details on the why and/or how.)

3.  Name the three Islamic terrorist groups that have taken over northern Mali.

4.  Why is the French government so concerned with a terrorist takeover of Mali?

5.  What role is the U.S. taking in Mali?

6.  Why did France send troops into Mali to help the government fight the terrorists?

7.  The reporters quote a professor from South Africa commenting: "The French action was an ad-hoc measure. It's going to be a mess for a while, it depends on how quickly everyone can come on board," saying he voiced grave doubts about the prospects of a properly equipped and trained ECOWAS force deploying effectively in a ground operation to follow up French air strikes.  He is also quoted as saying: "It's imperative that other NATO countries get involved. Everybody talks about the threat of global terrorism, but then where is the global response?"  What do you think of the professor's remarks?