Water is the main economic issue in the Middle East. Southwest Asia is a very dry terrain so water is essential but because they run on oil, it causes pollution and endangers their water supply causing many issues. It's no secret that having issues with water will cause issues in the community and how others act towards people with water when they have none. It causes havoc.
ANSWER: IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM
EXPLANATION:
The first step Gillian should consider in exploration of her general problem-solving approach is the PROBLEM IDENTIFICATION.
However, since she doesn't have much knowledge about bicycle, identifying the source of the problem (i.e. tracing the source/cause of the new sound produced by her bicycle), will provide a template or background for her further problem solving procedures.
They are more free as they used to be affected by communism :)
The policy of containment made the other non-communist countries side with the US. As this policy would keep them safe from communism.