International

Before you make your final decision about a topic, get to know it a bit. Look for books and articles (try nclive.org and news websites) and talk with folks who know something about it.
=== Questions to ask when selecting a topic: ===
 * 1) How much information is available? Is it readily available or do I have to dig deep?
 * 2) Is the information credible? written by an expert? current?
 * 3) Is the information written on a level I can understand?

What accounts for the spread of Ebola, and how might the spread of diseases be prevented in the future?
 * http://online.wsj.com/articles/congo-confirms-ebola-outbreak-1408963247
 * http://www.wired.com/2014/08/ebola-outbreak-causes/
 * http://america.aljazeera.com/articles/2014/8/4/ebola-deforestationclimatechange.html
 * http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs103/en/
 * http://www.cdc.gov/vhf/ebola/outbreaks/guinea/qa.html

Why do so many unaccompanied children want to enter the U.S., and what might be their future?
 * thedianerehmshow.org/shows/2014-07-08/white-house-weighs-options-surge-unaccompanied-children-us-mexico-border

Diamonds
 * http://www.cnn.com/2012/04/26/world/africa/blood-diamonds/
 * http://www.globalwitness.org/campaigns/conflict/conflict-diamonds
 * http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/jun/05/blood-diamonds-kimberley-process
 * http://www.history.com/videos/africas-blood-diamond#africas-blood-diamond

Can chemical weapons be eliminated or controlled? > What is the alternative to countries spending billions of dollars to host the Olympics?
 * http://library.cqpress.com.proxy067.nclive.org/cqresearcher/document.php?id=cqresrre2013121300
 * http://www.debate.org/opinions/is-it-worth-the-cost-to-host-the-olympic-games
 * http://entertainment.howstuffworks.com/10-olympic-games-bankrupted-host-countries.htm
 * http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/ioc-pressured-to-make-hosting-olympic-games-affordable/article19539967/

Is Moscow trying to recreate the Soviet bloc? > What will it take to get Haiti on the road to recovery?
 * http://library.cqpress.com.proxy067.nclive.org/cqresearcher/document.php?id=cqresrre2014020700

What should be done to minimize conflict among nations in the Arctic as access to the area increases?
 * http://polardiscovery.whoi.edu/arctic/timeline.html
 * http://www.arctic.noaa.gov/exploration.html
 * http://www.forbes.com/sites/greatspeculations/2011/09/12/exxon-readies-for-arctic-gushers-with-rosneft-deal/
 * http://www.cbc.ca/news/business/story/2011/09/12/north-national-energy-board-roundtable-offshore-oil.html
 * http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2011/may/12/battle-for-arctic-oil-intensifies
 * http://www.wired.com/dangerroom/2011/06/war-for-the-arctic-never-mind/

What is the best way to improve world health generally?
 * http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=1031

Does providing humanitarian aid to countries like Darfur and Niger bring about improvement?
 * http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=129316900
 * http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2010/02/niger_has_another_military_cou.html

Should we rely on the U.N. to protect children in conflict-ridden foreign countries?

What might be the affects of the "Arab Spring" on the international community?

What should be done to improve relations with Iran?

Should Iran be sanctioned if it is found to be developing nuclear weapons?

Should torture be sanctioned as an official government policy?

Are U.S. policies aiding the drug cartels of Mexico?

What's our best option for removing U.S. troops from Afghanistan?

Should the U.S. end the embargo with Cuba?

Are there policies and strategies that could be employed to reduce the incidence of famine around the world?
 * http://www.worldhunger.org/articles/Learn/world%20hunger%20facts%202002.htm
 * http://www.ifpri.org/
 * http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/mar/07/women-equality-reduce-world-hunger
 * http://www.wired.com/epicenter/2011/03/miracle-berry/

Should the U.S. put interceptor ballistic missiles in Poland and Czechoslovakia?
 * http://www.mda.mil/system/elements.html
 * http://gsn.nti.org/gsn/nw_20110408_4748.php
 * http://www.newsdaily.com/stories/tre7805ip-us-usa-defense-missile/

2014-2015 Topics
What conditions brought about the rise of ISIS, and what might be done to inhibit the growth of similar groups in the future?


 * http://www.cnn.com/2014/06/12/world/meast/who-is-the-isis/
 * http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/organizations/i/isis/index.html?8qa&module=Search&mabReward=relbias%3Ar%2C{%221%22%3A%22RI%3A10%22}
 * http://www.nytimes.com/2014/08/31/world/middleeast/isis-displaying-a-deft-command-of-varied-media.html

What can be done to stop the use of child soldiers?


 * http://www.child-soldiers.org/home

What can be done to curtail the ivory trade which fuels local wars?
 * http://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/04/world/africa/africas-elephants-are-being-slaughtered-in-poaching-frenzy.html?_r=1&pagewanted=all

Should Mexico do more to reduce the number of illegal immigrants in America?

2013-2014 Topics
Could the need for "rare earth" elements be a source of political and economic unrest in the future?

** 2011-2012 Topics **
Can micro-loans and social entrepreneurship really make the world a better place? Is it possible to stop Mexico's drug wars? Are the Olympics worth the investment needed? Are we protected from cyber-terrorism? What are the challenges the U.S.faces in its relationship with Saudi Arabia? What does the Korean War still affect us? Is immigration a problem that need solving? Are we safe from another 9/11?  What conditions brought about the rise of ISIS, and what might be done to inhibit the growth of similar groups in the future?
 * http://www.cnn.com/2014/06/12/world/meast/who-is-the-isis/
 * http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/organizations/i/isis/index.html?8qa&module=Search&mabReward=relbias%3Ar%2C{%221%22%3A%22RI%3A10%22}
 * http://www.nytimes.com/2014/08/31/world/middleeast/isis-displaying-a-deft-command-of-varied-media.html