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 SOUTH SUDAN:
a) list the who, what, where and when of the news item
b) In addition to the 1 million South Sudanese who have fled the country, how many are displaced from their homes within the country?
c) What caused this civil war in South Sudan?
d) Read the “Background” below the questions. To what countries have the Sudanese refugees fled?
e) There is much in the news about the plight of Syrian refugees. Why do you think the media chooses to focus on the millions of refugees from Syria but not as much is reported on the horrible plight of the Sudanese refugees?
f) During various African conflicts/civil wars, refugees are moved to camps within their own country, or when not feasible, to camps in neighboring countries, with the goal of ending the conflict so that people could return to their own homes. Why do you think Western leaders on the left are calling for millions of Syrians to be resettled in Europe and the U.S., far away from their borders and their culture? Explain your answer.
g) If there was a civil war in the U.S., would you want to be resettled in Europe and the Middle East? Explain your answer.
h) How might world leaders (the UN) be able to compel the president of South Sudan to end this civil war?

3. For PHILIPPINES:
a) list the who, what, where and when of the news item
b) Before being elected president, what political experience did Duterte have? On what promise was he elected president?
c) Why are human rights groups concerned over President Duterte’s war on drugs?
d) Who has President Duterte accused of being connected to the drug trade?

CHALLENGE QUESTION: The Huffington Post reports:

“Nicknamed ‘the Punisher,’ Duterte’s folksy ways and unbridled tongue are shrugged off by some as honest and natural. Others call him a patriot with a genuine love for the poor. Many praise him for his war on drugs, which began while he was the Mayor of Davao, a city in Mindanao. The Davao Death Squad, a vigilante group, was responsible for the execution of individuals suspected of petty crimes and drug dealing in Davao. Still, people like to cite how clean and safe Davao is because of Duterte.

…Filipino writer Wilson Lee Flores raves over the thousands of drug dealers and users who have surrendered since Duterte took office. He also praises the President for “his policy of no-frills lifestyle for public officials, with no fancy SUVs, luxury sports cars or limousines. There were no lavish parties during his presidential inaugural.”

Concerned Filipino Women Leaders released a statement August 22 which read in part:

“It is sorely disappointing to see the President disregard this constitutional right (of due process) as he voices no objection to the killing of suspected drug pushers by the police or by vigilantes, and accuses police officers, local executives, judges and other officials of being drug lords or their protectors without the benefit of a thorough, completed criminal investigation. Without presenting solid evidence to back up his public allegations, President Duterte, the most public official of our land, has embarked on a chilling, sickening name-and-shame campaign that is in effect an unjust, unlawful and unconstitutional trial by publicity.”

One reader commented: “his tactics are called lawlessness.”

Following criticism from the United Nations that extrajudicial killings had increased since he took office, Duterte threatened to withdraw the Philippines from the UN and form a new organization with China and African nations.

How do you think world leaders should respond to President Duterte’s threats?

4. For RUSSIA:
a) list the who, what, where and when of the news item
b) What association does Vladimir Putin have with the KGB?
c) What accusations were made by critics of this recent parliamentary election?
d) What was voter turnout in Moscow for this election?