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.

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

2. For UKRAINE:
a) list the who, what, where and when of the news item
b) Define the term collaborator as used in this article.
c) What was the Babi Yar massacre? Be specific.
d) In comparison to Ukrainians who collaborated with the Nazis, what opposite actions did others take?
e) Why do you think it is important for every Ukrainian to mark this horrific massacre?

3. For COLOMBIA:
a) list the who, what, where and when of the news item
b) What demands did the Marxist FARC guerrillas have that were not agreed to by President Santos and government negotiators?
c) What benefits were the FARC fighters given in the agreement that voters opposed?
d) Read the “Background” below.
Which governments consider FARC a terrorist group?
How many people did FARC kidnap during its reign of terror?
How many people have been killed by FARC during that time?

CHALLENGE QUESTION: Read "Santos Sets A Trap For Colombians"
Do you agree with Mary Anastasia O’Grady’s assertions about President Santos and the peace deal with FARC? Explain your answer.

4. For HUNGARY:
a) list the who, what, where and when of the news item
b) What percentage of Hungarian voters turned out in Sunday’s referendum question? What percent of these voters agreed with President Orban?
c) If the vast majority of voters voted to reject the EU requirements, why isn’t the referendum valid?
d) The media, the EU, US and UN criticize President Orban.
Read about the difference between a migrant and a refugee (What is the difference between a Migrant and a Refugee?)

Prime Minister Orban opposes the EU’s handling of the migration crisis and has said in the past that the link between migration and terrorism is as “plain as day.”

In September 2015, Prime Minister Orbán said Europe is in the grip of madness over immigration and refugees, and argued that he was defending European Christianity against a Muslim influx. He wrote,

“Everything which is now taking place before our eyes threatens to have explosive consequences for the whole of Europe. Europe’s response is madness. We must acknowledge that the European Union’s misguided immigration policy is responsible for this situation. Irresponsibility is the mark of every European politician who holds out the promise of a better life to immigrants and encourages them to leave everything behind and risk their lives in setting out for Europe. If Europe does not return to the path of common sense, it will find itself laid low in a battle for its fate.”

Prime Minister Orban also said, "Those arriving have been raised in another religion, and represent a radically different culture. Most of them are not Christians, but Muslims… This is an important question, because Europe and the European identity is rooted in Christianity."

Do you think it is wrong to say that you want to protect the culture of your country? Explain your answer.

Do you think President Orban is a xenophobe, or does he make valid points? Explain your answer.

CHALLENGE QUESTION: Read the commentary “Eastern Europe: The Last Barrier between Christianity and Islam” which includes the following:

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán is the Eastern nemesis of the European elite. No one else in Europe except him speaks about defending “Christianity.”

The last chance to save Europe’s roots might well come from the former communist members of the EU — those who defeated the Ottomans in 1699 and now feel culturally threatened by their heirs.

Do you agree with the assertions made by the writer? Why or why not?