Hampton Roads World Affairs Council What in the World? Weekly Quiz – September 13-19, 2021

Saying “we need multilateralism with teeth,” THIS United Nations Secretary General issued a dire warning that the world is moving in the wrong direction and faces “a pivotal moment” where continuing business as usual could lead to a breakdown of global order and a future of perpetual crisis, according to AP News. (#WACquiz)

President Kais Saied of THIS country indicated he would amend the constitution, barely two months after what his critics called a coup. Saled seized powers in this country, wedged between Algeria and Libya, that was the ignition point of the Arab Spring ten years ago, and was seen as the most successful country in moving from a dictator to democracy. (#WACquiz)

The 9/11 attacks on the United States led allies to invoke THIS mutual defense provision -- an armed attack against one or more members "shall be considered an attack against them all," and entreats allies to take “such actions” as they deem necessary – making the campaign against Al Qaeda in Afghanistan a NATO mission. (#WACquiz)

Najib Mikati became Prime Minister of THIS country, a position held vacant since an August 2020 blast in the capital’s port reeked havoc on a country already mired in an economic crisis. This Levantine nation, which endured a civil war from 1975-1990, divides political leadership posts among Christian, Sunni and Shia sects. (#WACquiz)

Iran agreed to allow THIS UN nuclear watchdog agency to service monitoring equipment at Iranian nuclear program facilities after the agency charged Tehran with stonewalling. The move may help move along stalled talks between Iran and the P5+1 group which signed the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, an agreement that fell apart following President Trump’s withdrawal. (#WACquiz)

President Vladimir Putin met with THIS neighbor president as the countries aligned economic ties with Russia seeking to bring the former Soviet republic closer to Moscow. THIS leader fought off massive protests after his reelection was marked by corruption charges and Western nations accused him of humanitarian violations. (#WACquiz)

President Joe Biden talked with THIS leader of China as bilateral relations remained strained. The White House said they had a “a broad, strategic discussion in which they discussed areas where our interests converge, and areas where our interests, values, and perspectives diverge.” (#WACquiz)

The long-delayed trial of THIS mastermind of the 9/11 plane hijackings resumed this week. He and four other Al Qaeda defendants will be tried by a military tribunal at Guantanamo Bay, and face the death penalty. (WACA WWNU)

The FBI released a classified document sought by families of 9/11 victims who argued THIS country had advance knowledge of the attacks. The document did not show any link. (#WACquiz)