Teacher's note: Given the brevity of Daily News Lessons based on the many responsibilities teachers must accomplish per class, some prior knowledge of the subject is expected.

SUMMARY

The Biden administration is struggling to find solutions to two major foreign policy challenges: creating a ceasefire in the war in Gaza and helping fund Ukraine’s war against Russia. Nick Schifrin speaks with Josep Borrell, the European Union’s (EU) foreign policy chief, to learn more about global efforts on these two fronts.

View the transcript of the story.

News alternative: Check out recent segments from the NewsHour, and choose the story you’re most interested in watching. You can make a Google doc copy of discussion questions that work for any of the stories here.

Key terms

European Union (EU) — an alliance of 27 European countries that promotes democratic values by facilitating political and economic integration throughout the region

WARM UP QUESTIONS

1. Who is Josep Borrell? What is the European Union?
2. What are the two major foreign policy challenges discussed in the video?
3. When did Sen. Chuck Schumer make his speech at Congress?
4. Where is the European Union's foreign policy chief visiting?
5. How does Borrell suggest Israel is using starvation as a weapon of war?

FOCUS QUESTIONS

1. What do polls say about the U.S. public's support of the war in Gaza? Be sure to check multiple polls like Gallup (March 4, 2024), Pew Research (Dec. 8, 2023), New York Times/Siena College (Dec. 21, 2023).
2. What about the polls about Americans' support of the war in Ukraine? Check Gallup (Nov. 2, 2023), Pew Research (Feb. 23, 2024, also includes global public opinion), and AP/NORC (Feb. 29, 2024).

• Why do you think there is the most significant split between younger Americans and older Americans in both Israel’s actions and the Biden administration’s response to the war in Gaza? (Jonanthan Weisman from the New York Times explains the differences in this video.)
• How might Americans support for funding the wars in Gaza and Ukraine be different than supporting actions carried out by different entities in those places? Read this NewsHour story from Dec. 13, 2023, to learn more.

Media literacy:

1. What do you think of Josep Borrell's rhetorical approach of asking questions in response to Nick Schifrin's questions? Do you think it was effective? Why or why not?
2. How can news outlets report stories like this while still remaining respectful and impartial?

Alternative: See, Think, Wonder: What did you notice? What did the story make you think? What would you want to find out more about?

FOR MORE

What students can do:

Watch the Student Reporting Labs video and answer the following question: What are some ways we can make immigrants feel welcome?

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