SUMMARY
Estonia formally accused Russia of an arson attack on a robotics company this past August that it said was part of a wave of Russian sabotage across Europe. In Poland, leaders are warning that Russia is planning a major attack to test NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization). Malcolm Brabant reports from Poland’s border with Russia’s Baltic enclave, Kaliningrad.
View the transcript of the story.
NOTE: If you are short on time, watch the video and complete this See, Think, Wonder activity: What did you notice? What did the story make you think? What do you want to learn more about? You can also make a Google doc copy of these general discussion questions.
News alternative: Check our recent segments from the News Hour and choose the story you’re most interested in watching. See the Google doc above for discussion questions.
WARM-UP QUESTIONS
- Where is Russia pressuring Poland from?
- What are the causes of tensions between Poland and Russia, according to this piece?
- Why is Putin serious about potential confrontation with Poland, according to former head of Polish National Security Bureau, Jacek Siewiera?
- How is Poland's military responding to Russian aggression?
- How does NATO counterbalance Russia's strong military and GDP (Gross Domestic Product)?
ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS
- Vladimir Putin is on record claiming Russia has “no aggressive intentions towards Europe or European countries,” yet nations like Poland are still preparing for the worst. If you lived in Eastern Europe, would you support your country in an effort to strengthen defenses towards Russia? Explain.
- Polish residents in this story appear unfazed by escalating rhetoric. Considering the history of the two nations, why do you think locals take this stance?
Media literacy: Why do you think the News Hour chose to include the perspectives of Polish citizens?
WHAT STUDENTS CAN DO
Learn more about the history of modern Poland from the Library of Congress Research Guide. Answer the following questions:
- What major events caused Poland’s borders to change during the twentieth century?
- When did the Soviet Union invade Poland, and what was happening in Poland at the time?
- How did Soviet influence continue in Poland after World War II?
- Why might Poland’s historical experiences explain its present-day distrust of Russia?
Credit: Screenshot from the Library of Congress' Research Guide page
Written by PBS News Hour Classroom's intern Ryan Sowder and News Hour's Victoria Pasquantonio
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