“What In The World? Weekly Quiz” – Apr 13-19, 2020

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by Michael T. Klare

[Michael Klare is the “Cover to Cover” Teleconference guest for May 14, 2020 — You’re invited to the conversation — Register Here]

All Hell Breaking Loose is an eye-opening examination of climate change from the perspective of the U.S. military.

The Pentagon, unsentimental and politically conservative, might not seem likely to be worried about climate change—still linked, for many people, with polar bears and coral reefs. Yet of all the major institutions in American society, none take climate change as seriously as the U.S. military. Both as participants in climate-triggered conflicts abroad, and as first responders to hurricanes and other disasters on American soil, the armed services are already confronting the impacts of global warming. The military now regards climate change as one of the top threats to American national security—and is busy developing strategies to cope with it.

Drawing on previously obscure reports and government documents, renowned security expert Michael Klare shows that the U.S. military sees the climate threat as imperiling the country on several fronts at once. Droughts and food shortages are stoking conflicts in ethnically divided nations, with “climate refugees” producing worldwide havoc. Pandemics and other humanitarian disasters will increasingly require extensive military involvement. The melting Arctic is creating new seaways to defend. And rising seas threaten American cities and military bases themselves.

While others still debate the causes of global warming, the Pentagon is intensely focused on its effects. Its response makes it clear that where it counts, the immense impact of climate change is not in doubt.

1. United Kingdom leader Boris Johnson was admitted to a hospital suffering from symptoms of Covid-19 infection. The British Prime Minister, the first major power leader infected, was in isolation at his residence since March 27th. The residence of Prime Minister Johnson is THIS HISTORIC ADDRESS.

A. 221B Baker Street
B. 827 Piccadilly Square
C. 10 Downing Street
D. 9 Abbey Road

Correct Response: C. 10 Downing Street
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-britain-johnson/boris-johnson-admitted-to-hospital-for-tests-after-persistent-coronavirus-symptoms-idUSKBN21N0VI

2. Turkey announced indictments against 20 Saudi Arabians, including two close aides of Crown Prince Mohamed bin Salman, in the killing of THIS American-resident Saudi journalist in Istanbul in 2018. The CIA concluded the Crown Prince, who wields immense power in the Kingdom, was culpable in the killing. All of the indicted suspects are beyond Turkish legal reach.

A. Mohammed bin Nayef
B. Jamal Khashoggi
C. Saud al-Qahtani
D. Ahmad al-Assiri

Correct Response: B. Jamal Khashoggi
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/27/world/middleeast/khashoggi-turkey-saudi-justice.html

3. The number of Covid-19 cases in THIS country ruled by THIS president is among the lowest in the European Union. That may be due to a shortage of tests amid a reluctance of doctors to speak out after THIS president tightened his authoritarian grip on power – using the pandemic crisis to push indefinite rule by decree through parliament.

A. Andrzej Duda of Poland
B. Miloš Zeman of Czechia
C. Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine
D. Viktor Orban of Hungary

Correct Response: D. Viktor Orban of Hungary
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/05/world/europe/victor-orban-coronavirus.html

4. The International Olympic Committee and the International Paralympic Committee rescheduled the 2020 Summer Olympics July and August 2021. The 2020 Olympics was set for THIS CITY.

A. Tokyo
B. Seoul
C. Sydney
D. Beijing

Correct Response: A. Tokyo
https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2883644-tokyo-olympics-rescheduled-for-july-to-august-2021-due-to-coronavirus

5. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced a cut of $1 billion in aid to Afghanistan in an effort to end a squabble between President Ashraf Ghana and his political competitor Abdullah Abdullah. The aid reduction is expected to have all of these consequences EXCEPT THIS ONE.

A. Reduce Kabul’s leverage in negotiations with the Taliban.
B. Cuts of about ¾ of the Afghan security forces’ budget.
C. Reduction in the annual poppy crop eradication program.
D. Improve Washington’s prospects to draw down.

Correct Response: C. Reduction in the annual poppy crop eradication program.
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-afghanistan-exclusive/exclusive-planned-1-billion-u-s-aid-cut-would-hit-afghan-security-force-funds-idUSKBN21N0CJ

6. Oil producing countries including OPEC nations are talking about significant cuts in production to stimulate crude prices after the market hit an 18-year low. The over supply in the market was compounded when Saudi Arabia jacked up production to record high levels in response to a feud with THIS COUNTRY.

A. Iran
B. Venezuela
C. Russia
D. Norway

Correct Response: C. Russia
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-oil-opec-saudi-russia/opec-meeting-delayed-as-saudi-arabia-and-russia-row-over-oil-price-collapse-sources-idUSKBN21M0FY

7. Invoking the spirit of WWII THIS HEAD OF STATE gave a rare national address Sunday to encourage citizens to be resolute in facing the Covid-19 pandemic saying, “Better days will return.”

A. President Emanuel Macron of France
B. King Philippe of Belguim
C. Queens Elizabeth of Britain
D. Carl XVI Gustaf King of Sweden

Correct Response: C. Queens Elizabeth of Britain
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-britain-queen/uks-queen-elizabeth-invokes-ww2-spirit-we-can-defeat-the-coronavirus-idUSKBN21N0TQ

8. The United Nations has done little to battle the global pandemic even though the UN Secretary General António Guterres has called it the biggest global threat in the organization’s 75-year old history. Observers cite increased friction between two Permanent Security Council members as one reason for UN inaction. What are the five countries of the UN Security Council?

A. UK, China, France, Russia, USA
B. Germany, UK, Russia, China, USA
C. USA, China, India, Russia, UK
D. Canada, USA, Russia, China, France

Correct Response: A. UK, China, France, Russia, USA
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/02/world/americas/coronavirus-united-nations-guterres.html

9. The U.S.-Iranian relationship continued to move down a rocky path this week. Which of these statements is NOT TRUE.

A. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is pushing for action against Iran.
B. President Trump’s advisors indicated an attack while Iran was suffering from a significant Covid-19 spread would not be appropriate.
C. President Trump warned that Iran-backed militia attacks on US forces in Iraq would result in the U.S. going “up the food chain” suggesting a reprisal aimed at Iran.
D. U.S. Navy forces in the Persian Gulf were observed to be practicing simulated strikes on Iranian off-shore oil platforms.

Correct Response: D. U.S. Navy forces in the Persian Gulf were observed to be practicing simulated strikes on Iranian off-shore oil platforms.
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/01/us/politics/trump-iran-warning.html

10. In Britain Keir Starmer was named as leader of THIS POLITICAL PARTY which stands as the major opposition to Prime Minister Boris Johnson and his party in Parliament. Starmer follows Jeremy Corbyn who led THIS PARTY to punishing defeat in December elections.

A. Conservative
B. Monarchist
C. Liberal
D. Independent

Correct Response: C. Liberal
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/04/world/europe/labour-party-keir-starmer.html

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