ANN ARBOR, Mich., March 21, 2006 - ProQuest Information and Learning announces that they have added the Iraq and Basque Country (Spain and France) conflicts to World Conflicts Today from CultureGrams. In addition to the two new reports, many existing reports have been significantly updated - providing continued insight into the human, political, and physical landscapes that shape our world. Culture Grams is a teaching and learning tool that provides clear, unbiased, and current information on major conflicts occurring around the globe.

World Conflicts Today used numerous and diverse sources, including original documents and assistance from experts in the field, to present an unbiased account of the conflict in Iraq

The report covers topics including:

• Official and unofficial reasons for the U.S. invasion in March 2003
• A historical contextualization of the violence and sectarian strife going on today
• Arguments for and against a speedy U.S. withdrawal
• Regional and global implications of the persistence of violence in Baghdad and other parts of Iraq

"I learned a great deal from this balanced and objective report, and I recommend it whole-heartedly as a guide for anyone wanting to steer their way through the maze of disinformation currently being disseminated on Iraq," says Peter Sluglett, University of Utah professor and author, distinguished in the field of Middle East studies. "The material is clearly and accurately presented. The questions raised are pertinent, and answers are authoritative."

The Basque (Spain and France) report examines the serious tensions between the Basques and Spaniards dating back to the 1800s, including:

• Basque arguments for independence from Spain
• The development of the Basque resistance
• Demands of the terrorist group Basque Homeland and Freedom (best known by its Basque acronym—ETA) 
• The position of the Spanish government on Basque independence

In addition to the two new reports, existing reports (Chechnya, Colombia, Darfur (Sudan), Jammu and Kashmir, the Korean Peninsula, Northern Ireland, and the Palestinian Territories) have been updated. Regular updates keep students informed about the very latest viewpoints, developments, and negotiations in each region.

"World Conflicts Today furthers understanding by making complex issues clear and accessible. But they are also very engaging," says Marilyn Quinsaat, vice president of publishing for K-12 products. "Students enjoy the reports because they are written like stories—once they start reading, they read on because they want to find out what happens next. Teachers love the reports because they're so versatile: each combines the historical breadth of a textbook with the currency of a news magazine and provides a number of useful teaching tools."

Each World Conflicts Today report details the history, background, obstacles, and implications, so students can understand the obstacles and persistence of the conflict, and what it means for the rest of the world.

Developed with input from hundreds of primary and secondary sources written from multiple perspectives, World Conflicts Today reports synthesize news articles, treatises, and editorial commentary, helping students digest complex issues.  Academic experts working in relevant fields have reviewed content to ensure accuracy and objectivity. Support material integrates reference content with curriculum standards and classroom activities.  

World Conflicts Today is designed for secondary school students and educators.  Content can also find applications in libraries, universities and colleges, business, and government. It includes primary source documents, images, interactive maps, timelines, statistics, a glossary and ideas for use in the classroom. 

World Conflicts Today is produced by the same editorial group that creates CultureGrams—renowned for their concise, reliable, and up-to-date reports on more than 187 countries of the world.

 

About ProQuest
ProQuest creates specialized information resources and technologies that propel successful research, discovery, and lifelong learning. A global leader in serving libraries of all types, ProQuest offers the expertise of such respected brands as Chadwyck-Healey™, UMI®, SIRS®, and eLibrary®. With Serials Solutions®, Ulrich's™, RefWorks®, COS™, Dialog® and now Bowker® part of the ProQuest brand family, the company supports the breadth of the information community with innovative discovery solutions that power the business of books and the best in research experience.

More than a content provider or aggregator, ProQuest is an information partner, creating indispensable research solutions that connect people and information. Through innovative, user-centered discovery technology, ProQuest offers billions of pages of global content that includes historical newspapers, dissertations, and uniquely relevant resources for researchers of any age and sophistication—including content not likely to be digitized by others. Inspired by its customers and their end users, ProQuest is working toward a future that blends information accessibility with community to further enhance learning and encourage lifelong enrichment.

For more information, visit www.proquest.com or the ProQuest parent company website, www.cambridgeinformationgroup.com.