“What In The World? Weekly Quiz” – Apr 27-May 3, 2020

Well done!

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. President Trump talked about the U.S. relationship with China and Beijing’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic. In his recent remarks all of these are TRUE EXCEPT WHICH ONE?

A. There will be consequences if China was “knowingly responsible” for the pandemic.
B. China and the World Health Organization “have been very transparent about the origins of the pandemic.”
C. The pandemic “could have been stopped in China before it started and it wasn’t”
D. Referring to China culpability, Trump said, “If it was a mistake, a mistake is a mistake.”

Correct Response: B. China and the World Health Organization “have been very transparent about the origins of the pandemic.”
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-trump-china/trump-warns-china-could-face-consequences-for-virus-outbreak-idUSKBN2200XZ

2. The number of cases of Covid-19 are falling in many countries and some are still on the rise. WHICH ONE of these countries has seen record increases in Covid-19 infections in recent days?

A. Spain
B. Russia
C. China
D. Italy

Correct Response: B. Russia
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-russia-cases/russia-reports-record-daily-rise-in-coronavirus-cases-idUSKBN221086

3. The Council of Senior Scholars in Saudi Arabia asked Muslims around the world to pray at home during Ramadan – the holy month in the Islamic faith that starts April 23rd this year – if their homelands require social distancing measures in response to the Covid-19 virus. What direction do Muslims face when they pray?

A. Toward their local mosque
B. Toward the Ka’bah in the Great Mosque
C. Toward the holy city of Qom
D. None of the above

Correct Response: B. Toward the Ka’bah in the Great Mosque
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-latest/latest-on-the-spread-of-the-coronavirus-around-the-world-idUSKBN2210IZ

4. Vietnam is demanding China reverse a decision by Beijing to establish administrative units on island in THIS body of water, where China has accelerated its campaign to claim sovereignty including militarization of some islands.

A. East China Sea
B. South China Sea
C. Yellow Sea
D. Philippine Sea

Correct Response: B. South China Sea
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-vietnam-china-southchinasea/vietnam-protests-beijings-expansion-in-disputed-south-china-sea-idUSKBN2210M7

5. United Nations Security Council resolutions have called for trade restrictions against North Korea in response to its nuclear weapons program. On Friday the UN released a report that showed North Korean flouting maritime trade restrictions through lax enforcement by THIS COUNTRY.

A. China
B. South Korea
C. Russia
D. Vietnam

Correct Response: A. China
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-northkorea-sanctions-un/photos-capture-north-korea-ships-sanctions-busting-in-chinese-waters-u-n-report-idUSKBN21Z349

6. Last week 11 naval vessels from THIS FORCE intercepted a group of U.S. Navy and Coast Guard vessels operating in the Persian Gulf and engaged in what the Americans said were “dangerous and provocative” actions.

A. Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps
B. Liberation Navy of Yemen (Houthis)
C. Coast Guard of the Sultanate of Oman
D. Islamic Navy of Iran

Correct Response: A. Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-iran-usa-gulf/irans-revolutionary-guards-say-have-increased-gulf-patrols-idUSKBN2210FB

7. Police arrested 15 activists over the weekend in a continuation of its crackdown on dissent, despite the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, in THIS region Beijing sees as a semi-autonomous region.

A. Macau
B. Tibet
C. Hong Kong
D. Taiwan

Correct Response: C. Hong Kong
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-hongkong-protests-arrests/arrests-show-beijing-sees-hong-kong-crackdown-as-priority-activist-idUSKBN221036

8. International auto manufacturing is an important element of the Tennessee’s economy affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. Last week THIS automaker with a major footprint in Tennessee announced it will extend its U.S. plant shutdown until mid-may. It previously announced temporary layoffs of 10,000 hourly workers in the U.S.

A. Hyundai
B. Toyota
C. Nissan
D. Mitsubishi

Correct Response: C. Nissan
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-nissan/nissan-extends-u-s-production-shutdown-until-mid-may-idUSKBN21Y2UW

9. Health ministers from this collection of global economic leaders met Sunday to forge a common response to the pandemic at an “urgent Covid-19 task force meeting.” THIS group rose to prominence during the 2008-09 economic crisis and it has called itself the “premier” body for dealing with economic cooperation.

A. G-20
B. G-8
C. G-7
D. G-12

Correct Response: A. G-20
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-g20/g20-health-ministers-hold-virtual-meeting-on-coronavirus-idUSKBN2210PP

10. The World Health Organization was about to declare an end to THIS deadly pandemic when a flare up of cases was noted in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

A. SARS
B. Ebola
C. Covid-12
D. H2-N5

Correct Response: B. Ebola
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-ebola-congo/congo-records-five-new-ebola-cases-shelves-declaration-of-end-to-epidemic-idUSKBN21Z1SX

Copyright: 2020 Tennessee World Affairs Council

---

We need and appreciate your support of 

the World Affairs Council.

---

THANKS TO BELMONT UNIVERSITY’S CENTER FOR INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS

THANKS TO THE NASHVILLE AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS COUNCIL

---

THANKS TO THE TNWAC WEEKLY QUIZ PARTNERS

---

THE MISSION of the nonprofit, nonpartisan Tennessee World Affairs Council is to promote international awareness, understanding and connections to enhance the region’s global stature and to prepare Tennesseans to thrive in our increasingly complex and connected world.

THE VISION of  the Tennessee World Affairs Council is a well-informed community that thinks critically about the world and the impact of global events.   

---

Learn more about the Council and find how you can join, donate and volunteer at: www.TNWAC.org  — 

Join / Donate / Volunteer

Copyright 2020 Tennessee World Affairs Council
Fidelity Hall 304A, Belmont University
1900 Belmont Blvd., Nashville, TN 37212