"What in the World?" - Week of June 4-10, 2017

A bombing in Kabul last week killed at least 80 people in one of the war’s worst attacks on civilians. The conflict in Afghanistan, the United States’ longest war, was originally called “Operation Enduring Freedom-Afghanistan.” What year did it begin?

Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) members Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and the UAE along with Egypt and Yemen severed relations with fellow GCC member state Qatar and cut off land, air and sea connections with it. What other GCC countries did not participate in the diplomatic action:

This week marked the 28th anniversary of the massive crackdown of pro-democracy dissidents known as the ’89 Democracy Movement in China. Troops with assault rifles backed by tanks killed several hundred protestors in THIS PLACE:

Last week President Trump announced the United States would withdraw from the Paris climate agreement to voluntarily reduce polluting emissions. Which statement is NOT TRUE:

The Trump Administration sought to reassure America’s allies in Asia that it was a reliable partner in the face of a loss of credibility and a sense that the United States was entering a new isolationist period. THIS OFFICIAL was in Singapore last week to tell allies the US could be counted upon in the face of North Korea’s missile program and China’s militarization.

Attention is turning to the occupation of the West Bank and Gaza as Israelis and Palestinians approach the 50th anniversary of the 1967 Six-day War. Which statement is NOT TRUE.

Iraqi Shi’ite paramilitaries took a key town in the north tightening the noose around Islamic State forces as the campaign to retake THIS strategic city approached its eighth month.

Venezuela’s President announced a vote to elect a constituent assembly on July 30th in an effort to quell near-daily protests against the government. Opponents claim he is trying to sidestep national elections and demands for an end to food and medicine shortages. The President of Venezuela is:

The Secretary-General of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) warned that the region’s “open borders are being exploited by terrorist groups to facilitate personnel and material” movements. Indonesia, Mayalsia and the Philippines – which include thousands of islands – have been especially subject to terrorist movements. The new warning specifically addressed THIS group.

This European leader made headlines last week with the assertion that President Trump was not a reliable partner following NATO and G-7 meetings among the leaders. Which EU head of state said Europe needed to “take our fate into our own hands”?