1. For RUSSIA, 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: Before answering the following questions, read the “Background” and watch the videos under “Resources” below.

2. For RUSSIA:
a) list the who, what, where and when of the news item
b) Define annex.
c) The U.S. is a member of NATO, a 29 country alliance. Why is NATO opposed to Russia’s construction of a bridge from Russia to Ukraine’s Crimea region?
d) How did the U.S. and Europe react to Russia’s 2014 annexation of Crimea from Ukraine?
e) What approach is NATO taking toward Russian aggression in the region?