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) Isfahan is home to Iran's largest facility for research and development of ballistic missiles. (The Iranians are trying to make nuclear weapons.) Multiple reports said the blast did not emanate from the nuclear facility. The reports immediately prompted speculation that Iran had suffered another sabotage attack, just two weeks after a blast at a missile base gave rise to similar suspicions.  What group is suspected of attacking facilities in Isfahan?
c) Read all of the info for Iran under "Background" below.  If b) is true, do you support or oppose this tactic?  Explain your answer.  Ask a parent the same question.

3. For SOMALIA:
a) list the who, what, where and when of the news item
b) Al-Shabaab has been named a terrorist group by the U.S. and other countries.  With what terrorist organization has al-Shabaab been linked?
c) What effect will al-Shabaab's ban have on the people of Somalia (their fellow countrymen)?

4. For SLOVAKIA (The Slovak Republic):
a) list the who, what, where and when of the news item
b) Approximately what percent of doctors in state-run hospitals are threatening to quit if their pay is not raised by Dec. 1st?
c) The government has proposed pay increases of $400 a month, but the doctors' union wants a $934 increase.  How has the government responded to the doctors?