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 HUNGARY:
a) list the who, what, where and when of the news item
b) What percent of Hungarians support Prime Minister Orban’s handling of the migrant crisis in their country?
c) On Saturday, two Hungarian police officers were seriously injured in a bomb attack in Budapest. 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.

CHALLENGE: 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."

"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." — Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán.

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?

3. For SWITZERLAND:
a) list the who, what, where and when of the news item
b) What percent of Swiss voters approved the law?
c) How did Yannick Buttet defend the new law?
d) Why did citizens have to vote on the law passed approved by parliament in 2015?
e) Rights group Amnesty International said it regretted Sunday's result, arguing that the new law will allow "disproportionate" levels of surveillance and that it posed "a threat... to freedom of expression."
Lawmaker Buttet argued that Switzerland's handcuffed intelligence agencies had become too reliant on help from other nations because they were deprived of using the full range of modern investigative tools.
With whom do you agree? Explain your answer.

4. For JORDAN:
a) list the who, what, where and when of the news item
b) Why was Mr. Hattar murdered?
c) Read the “Background” below and watch the video under “Resources.” Why was Mr. Hattar facing charges in court?
d) Are you surprised by the Prime Minister’s order? Explain your answer.