1.  a) Define mea culpa.
b)  During a news conference at the United Nations, for what reasons did Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice say that the U.S. may be partly to blame for a "freedom deficit" in the Middle East?

2.  What is the Arab Human Development Report?

3.  What conclusions were made in the Arab Report?

4.  At the U.N., Secretary Rice also met with the Quartet of Middle East peace negotiators, made up of representatives from the U.S., Russia, European Union and the U.N.  The Quartet stated that the latest peace effort between Israel and the Palestinians begun in November should continue.  Their statement also said that "These negotiations should be intensified in order to put an end to the conflict and to establish as soon as possible the state of Palestine, living side by side in peace and security with Israel."  Do you think this proposal is a possibility, or mere diplomatic talk?  Explain your answer.

5.  The goal of the Arab League is to "draw closer the relations between member States and co-ordinate collaboration between them, to safeguard their independence and sovereignty, and to consider in a general way the affairs and interests of the Arab countries." The Arab League currently has 22 members.  List the member states mentioned in the article.

6.  Do you agree with Secretary Rice that the U.S. could be blamed for a "freedom deficit" in the Middle East?  Explain your answer.  Discuss this question with a parent.