What in the World? Weekly Quiz – Nov 30-Dec 6, 2020

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani called out the “Global Arrogance and Zionist mercenaries” – referring to the United States and THIS country – as being responsible for the assassination of Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, regarded as the “father” of the country’s nuclear program last week.

The communiqué from last week’s summit of THIS association of leading global economic powers committed the group to fund fair distribution of COVID-19 vaccines to poor countries along with debt relief saying, “We recognize the role of extensive immunization as a global public good.”

Post-U.S. election discussions with Russia over THIS treaty have stalled but President-elect Biden has indicated he will pursue the built-in five-year extension when he takes office. THIS 2010 treaty, set to expire February 5, 2021 if not extended, limits the United States and Russia to 700 deployed strategic nuclear launchers and a maximum of 1,550 such warheads deployed on those launchers.

A Turkish court sentenced more than 300 military officers and civilians to multiple life sentences over their involvement in the failed 2016 coup according to “Daily Chatter.” Indicted in absentia was THIS US-based Muslim cleric, whom Turkish President Erdogan has accused of masterminding the plot, a charge HE denies. The president has demanded HIS extradition. [Daily Chatter (Nov 27) Question of the Week]:

While the fighting of the last few weeks in Ethiopia may have significantly degraded THIS group’s military capacity, it is unlikely that the federal government can entirely subdue THIS group as a political entity, which retains the support of a substantial number of Tigrayans according to USIP’s Aly Verjee. Further, THIS group’s historic capacity to wage guerrilla warfare from the rural mountains of Tigray may not be definitively eroded by its losses in conventional warfare. [USIP Question of the Week]

Who is the choice of President-Elect Biden to be the United States Ambassador to the United Nations?

Four prominent women’s activists appeared in court in THIS country, which has been charged by rights group with abusing them. The judge transferred the case of at least one of the women, Lina al-Hathloul, from criminal court to terrorism court. The four were rounded up in 2018 along with other activists who had protested a ban on women driving.

A petition backed by former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and signed by half a million Australians called for a Royal Commission to "investigate threats to media diversity." The petition mentioned Google and Facebook but focused on THIS Australian-born, American media magnate.

Belarus’ self-proclaimed president said once the country adopted a new constitution he would resign. THIS Belarusian leader has faced wide-scale protests and police violence since the August 9^th election. Opposition leaders charge HIM with stealing the election and they say the pledge to resign was a ploy to remain in power.

Beijing announced tariffs up to 212% on wine from THIS major trading partner whose trade minister said it would be a devastating blow as China accounts for 42% of its wine exports. It was the latest sign of tension in the bilateral relationship with this country that has joined the American-led “Quad” alignment poised against China.