Images and data gathered by Earth-orbiting satellites confirm that boreal (northern) forests, like the rain forests along the equator, are vital to maintaining the health of the global ecosystem by absorbing carbon dioxide and producing oxygen. While there are definite short-term benefits to cutting down some of the Russian taiga, there are also long-term benefits to preserving the forests.

How would you balance Russia's need for money and jobs with environmental protection? Support your arguments with evidence.

In September 2004, schoolchildren and their families were taken hostage inside their school in Beslan, North Ossetia, a province of Russia near Chechnya. More than 300 children and adults died, with over 700 injured or traumatized. The terrorists included ethnic Slavs and Arabs as well as Chechen "Black Widows" but were committed to a single goal: freedom for Chechnya.

Chechnya is a landlocked republic of Russia, located in the oil-rich Caucasus Mountains. Unlike its southern neighbors (Georgia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan), Chechnya did not successfully declare independence following the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991. Russia resisted Chechen claims, resulting in the 1st Chechen War (1994–96). Although Russia lost, a series of apartment bombings in Moscow triggered the 2nd Chechen War, beginning in 1999 and continuing today. Russia maintains that Chechnya is a part of Russia and that Chechen separatists are allied with international terrorists. Human rights organizations accuse Russian troops of severe human rights abuses. The United States considers Russia a key ally in the War on Terror and affirms Russia's right to fight terrorism within its own borders.

What should Russia do regarding Chechnya? If Chechnya becomes an independent country, what challenges would it face?

Educated women from Russia, Ukraine, and other former Soviet countries are increasingly signing up to Internet lists that make them available to meet and marry men as mail-order brides. This worldwide industry involves over 100,000 women of all ages and social classes. Most of the men who select partners from these services are well-educated, affluent, and live in North America, Europe, Australia, or Japan. While love may be a factor in some of the resulting marriages, more often the men are seeking companionship and domestic service while the women are seeking citizenship in their new country. These conflicting agendas may lead to spousal abuse, immigration fraud, or deportation of the bride before she has fully met citizenship requirements. Recognizing the vulnerability of the women in such relationships, the State of Washington recently passed legislation that requires international matchmaking organizations to provide more information about prospective mates. Meanwhile, the U.S. Embassy in Ukraine has issued a warning to Americans against scams. And federal legislation in the U.S. protecting mail-order brides may be forthcoming.

Imagine that one of your relatives has decided to look for a spouse through the mail-order bride industry. What would you advise that relative regarding Russian or Ukrainian participants? Can you provide evidence to back up your arguments?