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

1. List the who, what, where and when of the news report.

2. How/with what was Navalny poisoned?

3. What effect does Novichok have on a human? - and specifically on Navalny?

4. How do Russian and German tests on Navalny contradict each other?

5. What is the result of the conclusion that Navalny was poisoned with a nerve agent? (What are some calling on Germany to do?)

CHALLENGE QUESTION: Alexei Navalny is a Russian opposition politician and anti-corruption activist. He came to international prominence by organizing demonstrations, and running for office, to advocate reforms against corruption in Russia, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and Putin's government. Navalny was described as "the man Vladimir Putin fears most" by The Wall Street Journal. Putin is said to avoid directly referring to Navalny by name.  (from wikipedia)

Read the “Background” and watch the news reports under “Resources.” The U.S. and Britain have joined the European Union in calling for a full investigation into Navalny’s poisoning. Russia is one of the 5 permanent members of the UN Security Council (the others are the U.S., UK, France and China).

Sanctions are actions that are taken to force a country to obey international laws by limiting or stopping trade with that country, by not allowing economic aid for that country, etc.  The U.S. is currently imposing sanctions on Russia. Read a March 2020 report “U.S. Sanctions on Russia” for info.

What do you think? Should Western countries and/or the UN join together to impose economic sanctions on Putin personally and/or Russia for the multiple acts of poisoning against Russian citizens - or not at all? Explain your answer.