1. For each of the 3 countries - FRANCE, SYRIA AND BELGIUM - 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.  NOTE: If WorldFactBook appears outdated for any country, use Wikipedia.

NOTE to students: Before answering the questions below, read the information under "Background" and watch the news reports under "Resources."

2. The first paragraph of a news article should answer the questions who, what, where and when. List the who, what, where and when of this news item. (NOTE: The remainder of a news article provides details on the why and/or how.)

3. When addressing parliament on Monday, what actions did President Francois Hollande say he would take in response to the Islamic terrorist attacks in Paris on Friday? Be specific.

4. How did Parliament respond to President Hollande’s speech?

5. a) What specific reason did Islamic State terrorists give for their murderous attack on so many innocent people in Paris?
b) What additional threat did they make?

6. a) What did President Hollande say about working with the U.S. and Russia?
b) How did President Obama respond?

7. In what countries did the terrorists involved in the attack in Paris plot their scheme?

8. What warnings did French Prime Minister Manuel Valls and French Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve give when talking to reporters?

9. In response to the murder of over 120 people on Friday night in Paris, President Holland has already ordered massive airstrikes on ISIS strongholds in Syria and launched raids on suspected terrorist hideouts in France. He immediately closed the borders and he also ordered a state of emergency which he is asking parliament to extend for 3 months. What do you think about this response? Too strong? Not strong enough? The appropriate response? Explain your answer.

10. On Thursday, the day before the attacks, President Obama declared in an interview that ISIS had been "contained," asserting that the terror cell had been stalled in Iraq and Syria. The Islamic State is threatening similar attacks to those in Paris in the U.S. and around the world.
What steps do you think President Obama should take to ensure the safety of the American people here in the U.S.?