1. For each of the 3 countries, give the following information (Note: GREAT BRITAIN includes England, Scotland and Wales; THE UNITED KINGDOM includes those countries AND Northern Ireland). Fill in the information for the UK; the CIA World FactBook does not provide a separate breakdown for Great Britain):

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 PAKISTAN:
a) list the who, what, where and when of the news item
b) What did the Islamist group responsible for the suicide bombing attack on Christians in a park say about their attack?
c) Do you agree with those who say we must completely destroy all Islamist groups (ISIS, al Qaeda, Taliban, offshoots of the Taliban like Jamaatul Ahrar, Boko Haram, al Shabaab, et al)? Explain your answer.

3. For GREAT BRITAIN:
a) list the who, what, where and when of the news item
b) For what positions is the British military granting individual exemptions to certain military regulations?
c) What types of exemptions will these individuals be granted?
d) The need for cybersecurity is great. Where are the threats to Britain (and the U.S.) coming from?
e) The Telegraph reports: “American commanders have also said their own cyber recruits will be spared some of the rigors or basic training.” Do you think our military has the same need to do this that the British military does? Explain your answer.

4. For FRANCE:
a) list the who, what, where and when of the news item
b) How does the deputy mayor defend the use of “talking” CCTV cameras?
c) The French have long been opposed to government’s use of CCTV cameras. After the Paris terrorist attacks, this opposition has somewhat subsided. Almost 75% of mid-sized towns now use these cameras. What reasons did residents in Mandelieu-la-Napoule give for opposing the “talking” cameras?
d) Consider the reasons for and against cameras in this town with almost 0% crime. With whom do you agree? Why?
e) The article on the CCTV cameras concludes: “British cameras also have microphones so the offenders can talk back to the control center, should they wish to explain themselves.” Would you support or oppose CCTV cameras being installed in your town that allowed you to talk back to a person in the control center? Explain your answer.
f) Ask a parent the same questions for this news story. Discuss your answers.