1. For each of the 3 countries, provide the following information:

a) capital:

b) location/the countries that share its borders:

c) the religious breakdown of the population:

d) the type of government:

e) 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]:

f) 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 maps and a list of continents.]

NOTE: Before answering the questions below, read the info under “Background” and “Resources.”

2. For LEBANON:
a) list the who, what, where and when of the news item
b) List the following stats:
-population of Lebanon
-number of Syrian refugees in Lebanon
-number of Lebanese schoolchildren
-number of Syrian refugee children that require schooling
-amount of aid money needed to help the refugees for one year
-amount of aid money pledged thus far
c) What will happen in Lebanon if it doesn't get the help it needs from other countries in dealing with the Syrian refugees?
d) What effect will the destabilization of Lebanon have on the surrounding region, according to Ninette Kelley of the UN Refugee Agency?

3. For GUINEA:
a) list the who, what, where and when of the news item
b) Read about Ebola under "Background" and watch the video under "Resources" below the questions. What two words would you use to describe doctors working in Guinea for Doctors Without Borders?

4. For JAPAN:
a) list the who, what, where and when of the news item
b) What is the International Court of Justice?
c) What is the International Whaling Commission moratorium?
d) Which countries have ignored the IWC moratorium?
e) Before announcing that whale hunting was for obtaining scientific data so that whale resources can be sustainably maintained, the government defended the practice of eating whale meat as a culinary tradition and vowed that the Japanese would "never stop whaling." Compare this tactic to Norway, Iceland and Russia's decision to just reject the IWC moratorium. (Should countries with the tradition of eating whale meat be permitted to do so? With or without quotas/guidelines? Explain your answer.)