Water covers 75% of the earthâ€s surface. Most of it contains high concentrations of salt and is unusable to developing countries for consumption or irrigation purposes because desalination is too expensive. Consequently, when a water source like a major river originates in one country and flows into another, the shared water source could become an issue of national security. (This means that if one country dams or diverts a shared river for irrigation purposes, it could reduce the amount of water flowing downstream to the second country). For example, nearly all of the major river systems that flow through Pakistan originate in India – or, in the case of the Indus River, in Tibet – meaning that India essentially controls Pakistanâ€s ability to grow food for itself.

For this week’s discussion, think of the enduring disputes taking place between Jordan and Israel (Jordan controls the headwaters of the Jordan River as it flows into Israel); Turkey and Iraq (Turkey controls the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers before they enter Iraq); and between Ethiopia and Sudan and Egypt (Ethiopia controls the flow of the Nile River before it enters Sudan and Egypt). What concerns do these downriver countries (Israel, Iraq, and Egypt/Sudan) have over freshwater access?

HIS 105: American History after 1865:

Part 1: Post a Response

Between 200 and2016, the US experienced remarkable changes internationally and domestically. By any measure, the terrorist attack of Sept. 11, 2001, was a game changer. With that a long, still-ongoing “war on terror” began that meant military engagements overseas and increased domestic security measures. In 2008, remarkably, the US elected its first African American president, Barack Obama. He was elected to a second term in 2012.

Choose and discuss one of the following two topics related to American history under Presidents Bush and Obama:

1. Discuss the Sept. 11 (2001) attack and its impact.
   • Describe what stands out to you (perhaps from memory) from the events of Sept. 11, 2001
   • Give two examples of events or changes since 9/11 that you attribute to that terrorist attack. In your view, what should we learn from this attack and our experiences trying to deal with it.
   • Identify the source(s) where you read about these free trade issues of that time.
2. Discuss president Obamaâ€s election and presidency. (Considering our many explorations of race relations and Civil Rights in our history, there is much that can be said of President Obamaâ€s election and presidency, and it is still perhaps too early to evaluate fully.)
   • Identify two specific examples that you think were the most important developments of Obama’s presidency.
   • Explain why you chose those two examples.
   • Identify the source(s) where you read about these changes of the early 21st Century.

   SOC 105: Society and the Media:

“Assessing Threats to the Freedom of the Press”

• How serious are the current threats to the freedom of the press? Support your views with two or three reasons and/or examples. (Cite any sources you referenced.)