2022 World Affairs Council of the Year
Network of Independent World Affairs Councils of America
Check your global affairs awareness with these ten questions taken from the week’s news reports. Follow @TNWAC for #TNWACquiz news reports.
The only rule is to use the ‘honor system.’
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Keep up with global current events by following the World Affairs Council on Twitter @TNWAC. #TNWACquiz
QUIZ WINNERS FROM LAST WEEK
Sebastian Williams, Atlanta, GA
Patricia Miletich, Nashville, TN
John Rockford, Owens Cross Roads, AL
Charles Bowers, Nashville, TN
Deanna Kendall, Nashville, TN
Theodora Abah, Atlanta GA
FEBRUARY PRIZE FOR THE WHAT IN THE WORLD? QUIZ
The Big Stick: The Limits of Soft Power and the Necessity of Military Force
by Eliot A. Cohen
“Speak softly and carry a big stick” Theodore Roosevelt famously said in 1901, when the United States was emerging as a great power. It was the right sentiment, perhaps, in an age of imperial rivalry but today many Americans doubt the utility of their global military presence, thinking it outdated, unnecessary or even dangerous.
In The Big Stick, Eliot A. Cohen—a scholar and practitioner of international relations—disagrees. He argues that hard power remains essential for American foreign policy. While acknowledging that the US must be careful about why, when, and how it uses force, he insists that its international role is as critical as ever, and armed force is vital to that role.
Cohen explains that American leaders must learn to use hard power in new ways and for new circumstances. The rise of a well-armed China, Russia’s conquest of Crimea and eastern Ukraine, nuclear threats from North Korea and Iran, and the spread of radical Islamist movements like ISIS are some of the key threats to global peace. If the United States relinquishes its position as a strong but prudent military power, and fails to accept its role as the guardian of a stable world order we run the risk of unleashing disorder, violence and tyranny on a scale not seen since the 1930s. The US is still, as Madeleine Albright once dubbed it, “the indispensable nation.”
Source: Amazon.com
About the Author
Eliot A. Cohen is the Robert E. Osgood Professor of Strategic Studies at Johns Hopkins University’s School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS). The prize-winning author of several books, including Conquered into Liberty, Cohen lives in the Washington, DC area.
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We’ll post the answers and the names of the winner(s) in next week’s quiz.
Here’s last week’s questions and answers:
WHAT IN THE WORLD? QUIZ
Week of Feb 12-18, 2017
1. German chancellor Angela Merkel met with which of the following Polish officials, listed by Politico as number four of the 28 most influential people in Europe?
A. Andrzej Duda, President
B. Beata Szydlo, Prime Minister
C. Bronislaw Komorowski, leader of the Civic Platform
D. Jaroslaw Kaczynski, leader of the Law and Justice Party
Correct Answer: D. Jaroslaw Kaczynski, leader of the Law and Justice Party
http://www.politico.eu/list/politico-28-class-of-2017-ranking/jaroslaw-kaczynski/
2. In the wake of abuses surrounding a green-energy scheme, the power-sharing agreement in Northern Ireland has collapsed, leading to new elections on March 2. The current power-sharing system is a direct result of the Good Friday Agreement, which brought an end to a decades-old conflict. When was the Good Friday Agreement signed?
A. 1992
B. 1994
C. 1996
D. 1998
Correct Answer: D. 1998
http://mobile.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idUSKBN15R0GL
3. At a meeting of economic policy makers and academics in Dubai, Christine Lagarde, when asked about upcoming elections in France, the Netherlands and Germany, stated that she is, “worried […] about some of these elections.” Ms. Lagarde is the head of which international agency?
A. UNESCO
B. NATO
C. the IMF
D. INTERPOL
Correct Answer: C. the IMF
http://mobile.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idUSKBN15R0FP
4. Which foreign leader assured far-right politicians in his country that he would, “promote responsible policies,” when he meets with U.S. president Donald Trump this week?
A. Shinzo Abe
B. Justin Trudeau
C. Benjamin Netanyahu
D. Enrique Peña Nieto
Correct Answer: C. Benjamin Netanyahu
http://mobile.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idUSKBN15R0JC
5. The new president of Germany is:
A. Christoph Butterwegge
B. Frank-Walter Steinmeier
C. Albrecht Glaser
D. Angela Merkel
Correct Answer: B. Frank-Walter Steinmeier
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/feb/12/frank-walter-steinmeier-elected-germany-president-donald-trump-critic-
6. Which nation test-fired a medium-range missile into the Sea of Japan this week?
A. Russia
B. North Korea
C. Philippines
D. China
Correct Answer: B. North Korea
http://mobile.reuters.com/article/idUSKBN15Q0TE
7. Volunteers worked frantically to save more than 650 whales who had beached themselves during two separate strandings this week in which country?
A. Chile
B. New Zealand
C. Norway
D. Japan
Correct Answer: B. New Zealand
http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2017/02/12/514827093/after-heartbreak-a-happy-ending-200-whales-escape-stranding-in-new-zealand
8. Wanted for questioning related to accusations of corruption, the whereabouts of Peru’s former president are currently unknown. He is believed to be in the United States, but U.S. officials have refused to help Peruvian authorities, on the basis that their request to detain the former leader lacks probable cause. Which former president of Peru is now a fugitive from justice?
A. Alberto Fujimoro
B. Alejandro Toledo
C. Ollanta Humala
D. Alan Garcia
Correct Answer: B. Alejandro Toledo
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-peru-toledo-idUSKBN15R0TV
9. Since it launched in December, an anti-graft whistle-blower campaign announced that it has recovered millions of US dollars’ worth in corruption-related assets. The campaign allows whistle blowers to keep up to 5% of all recovered monies, and appears to be working successfully against endemic corruption in which African nation?
A. Cameroon
B. Nigeria
C. Angola
D. Uganda
Correct Answer: B. Nigeria
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-nigeria-corruption-idUSKBN15R0UO
10. 72,000 residents of Thessaloniki, Greece’s second-largest city, were evacuated due to what?
A. The discovery of an undetonated WWII bomb
B. A train derailment resulting in a 4,000-liter spill of sodium chloride
C. A prison error that resulted in 159 violent offenders being freed
D. A freak ice storm that cut off electricity to homes and businesses
Correct Answer: A. The discovery of an undetonated WWII bomb
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-greece-evacuation-idUSKBN15R0A0
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