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

1. capital
2. location/the countries that share its borders
3. the religious breakdown of the population
4. the type of government
5. 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
6. 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.

Or, go to Wikipedia – search there for “Religion in ___” or “Politics of ____” for the leaders.  Or do an internet search for “Population of ___.”

NOTE to students: Before answering the questions below, read the information under “Background.”

2. For TURKEY:
a) list the who, what, where and when of the news item
b) What is NATO and its purpose?
c) What will/won’t NATO patrols do in the Aegean Sea?
d) Why is NATO only getting involved now?
e) Ask a parent: do you think this is the best/only solution to preventing people from making the dangerous sea journey? Explain your answer.

3. For UGANDA:
a) list the who, what, where and when of the news item
b) For what reasons do election observers say the election fell short of key democratic benchmarks? Be specific.
c) Why did police arrest President Museveni’s opponent? — How did the people react to this news?
d) What positive outcomes has President Museveni been credited with overseeing?
e) The U.S. State Department says of President Museveni:   “President Museveni came to power in 1986, after decades of internal strife. Under Museveni, Uganda has experienced relative political stability, democratic progress, and economic growth. The country has made strides in reducing HIV/AIDS, experienced economic growth, and stabilized its north, where the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) operated for 20 years.”
Wikipedia states: “President Museveni has brought relative stability and economic growth to a country that has endured decades of rebel activity and civil war. His tenure has also witnessed one of the most effective national responses to HIV/AIDS in Africa.”
Museveni started out making a positive impact on the country through his leadership. Why do you think he has become more authoritarian over the years?

4. For CHINA:
a) list the who, what, where and when of the news item
b) How many people is the government moving out of Guizhou province to make way for the world’s largest radio telescope?
c) State-run Xinhua news agency reported that officials will “evacuate” all homes within three miles of the radio telescope. Why did officials choose this area, where so many people are being forced out of their homes?
d) Forced relocation to make way for infrastructure projects is common in China and affected residents often complain about the eviction and inadequate compensation. Do you think the people would be less upset if the government over-compensated them and helped them relocate or would it make no difference? Explain your answer.
e) Li Di, the chief scientist of the National Astronomical Observatories Chinese Academy of Sciences, said: “FAST will remain the best in the world in the next twenty to thirty years after it is completed. We are aiming to discovering something that is worthy of a Nobel Prize. Although we built the telescope, we welcome scientists from all around the world to use it.” Li Di added.
What do you think: is China’s quest for this technology more important than the homes of 9,000 people? Would it make a difference if the exact location they chose for the radio telescope was the only spot that would fulfill the requirements? Explain your answer.