World Affairs Councils of America WorldQuest Weekly Quiz – September 6-12, 2021

The International Atomic Energy Agency said North Korea appears to have restarted its Yongbyon nuclear reactor, a source of plutonium for its nuclear weapons program. In January THIS leader committed to expanding nukes production including miniaturized warheads for ballistic missiles, tactical weapons and a “super-large hydrogen bomb.” (#WACquiz)

A coup in THIS West African nation, a storehouse of valuable minerals, has led to a surge in global aluminum prices and caused worries in China, a major importer of its bauxite. The head of special forces said his troops had seized power in Conakry, the capital. (#WACquiz)

The humanitarian crisis in Ethiopia’s Tigray region has deepened in recent months. USAID food warehouses are empty and it's difficult to deliver aid due to security issues. The conflict that originally caused this humanitarian crisis is primarily between THESE two parties? (WACA Weekly World News Update) 

President Biden recently had his first meeting with President Volodymyr Zelensky of THIS country at the White House. The meeting has been highly anticipated, especially after Biden’s decision to waive the sanctions on the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline from Russia to Germany, came as a “huge disappointment” to the Kyiv government. (WACA Weekly World News Update)

Reports of fighting between the Taliban and the National Resistance Front were continuing in THIS province, the only region left to hold out against the Taliban. This province also resisted the Soviets during their 1980s occupation and against the Taliban’s first period of rule from 1996-2001. (#WACquiz)

Iran’s Foreign Minister said last week talks on the JCPOA nuclear deal would resume in two to three months but THIS President of Iran gave a mixed message saying Tehran was ready to resume talks, but, “The Westerners and the Americans are after talks together with pressure … we will have talks on our government’s agenda but not with…pressure.” (#WACquiz)

In Venezuela, the opposition parties have announced an end to their three year-long boycott of all votes in public elections as an attempt to remove the authoritarian president. However, many see the end of the boycott as a nod to THIS President’s increased power base. (#WACquiz)

The announcement that Prime Minister Suga would step down following criticism over THIS government’s response to Covid and declining support has launched a wide open race for a replacement. (#WACquiz)

The UN warned the “multidimensional” poverty level in THIS Levantine nation has reached 82%, considering not only income but also access to healthcare, education and public utilities. The economic catastrophe is exacerbated by Iranian influence exercised through Hezbollah. (#WACquiz)