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Story: President
Pursues Controversial Nuclear Weapons Technology, 02/09/05
Reading Comprehension Questions: 1. What does the Defense Secretary want from Congress and why does he want it?
2. What are bunker busters?
3. Why do some at the U.S. Defense Department think this new technology is important?
4. What do critics think this technology will do to international relations?
5. How has the congressman who pulled the research program's funding last year responded to this new technology?
Discussion Activity (more research might be needed): 1. Pretend that you are a member of Congress. Would you allocate money for the bunker buster program? Why or why not? Explain your answer. 2. What is the purpose of the International Atomic Energy Agency? Why might its opinions about nuclear bunker buster technology be different from those of the U.S. Defense Department? Which opinion is more important? Why? 3. Pretend that you are a world leader. Where are you from? Would you encourage North Korea or Iran to stop production of nuclear weapons? If yes, how would you do that? Do you think the threat of force is important? Plot out your strategy. Write a 500-800 word essay on any of these topics providing clear examples. Send your completed editorial to NewsHour Extra [extra@newshour.org]. Exceptional essays might be published on our Web site. |