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 Tajikistan:
a) list the who, what, where and when of the news item
b) Ninety percent of the citizens of Tajikistan are Muslims.  Why is the terrorist group Jamaat Ansarullah committing terrorist acts in this country? (see "Background" below the questions)

3. For Sweden:
a) list the who, what, where and when of the news item
b) When did Lars Vilks draw the cartoon of Mohammed?
c)  When do you think the attempts on Mr. Vilks' life will stop?

4. For Italy:
a) list the who, what, where and when of the news item
b) What is the population of Lampedusa?
c) How many migrants from Tunisia and Libya have arrived in Lampedusa this year since the beginning of the Arab revolts?
d) Asylum is defined as: "protection or safety, especially that given by a government to foreigners who have been forced to leave their own countries because of religious or political persecution." The majority of Tunisians are protesting against the news that they will be sent home.  Why isn't the Italian government giving them asylum?
e) Consider the population of Lampedusa and the number of migrants who have come there this year.  Consider the plight of the men who are desperate enough to burn down the only shelter they have.  Which authority do you think should bear the responsibility for helping/returning the Tunisians to Europe or to Tunisia:  the mayor of Lampedusa, the Prime Minister and/or President of Italy, or the European Union as a whole?  Explain your answer.