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

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

2. Who was Daniel Pearl? What was he doing in Karachi, Pakistan when he was kidnapped and brutally murdered?

3. Who murdered Pearl?

4. What was Sheikh convicted of in 2002? What sentence did he receive?

5. Why do you think the Pakistani court released Sheikh and his three accomplices (who were convicted of terrorism)?

6. How did President Biden’s Acting Attorney General Monty Wilkinson react to the news of the release of Daniel Pearl’s murderers?

7. From the Jan. 28 Associated Press report:

White House press secretary Jen Psaki said the U.S. was “outraged by the Pakistani Supreme Court decision to affirm the acquittals of those responsible" for Pearl’s slaying and underscored the administration's commitment to secure justice for Pearl’s family.

The case seems certain to test the new Biden administration’s skill in dealing with Pakistan, considered a key ally in getting peace in neighboring Afghanistan.

a) What do you think President Biden should do to carry out his administration’s promise to secure justice for Daniel Pearl and his family? Explain your answer.
b) Since the Pakistani government cannot force the Pakistani Supreme Court to reverse its decision, do you think the Biden administration will be able to get the government to extradite the 4 convicted terrorists to the U.S. to stand trial for the murder of Mr. Pearl? Explain your answer.
c) Joe Biden became one of the youngest people ever to get elected into the U.S. Senate at age 29. He represented the state of Delaware for 36 years, from Jan. 3, 1973, until Jan. 15, 2009. He then served as Barack Obama’s Vice President for 8 years. How successful do you think President Biden’s “skill in dealing with Pakistan” will be? Explain your answer.