World Boston What in the World? Weekly Quiz – January 31-February 6, 2022

Ukraine’s economy is being put at risk by talk of a potential Russian attack according to THIS President of Ukraine. He called on the West to stop creating panic over Russia’s troop buildup at Ukraine’s borders. (#WACquiz)

NATO and EU unity in the face of Russia’s threat against Ukraine has been tarnished by the weak response of THIS country. Elements in the ruling coalition have a history of Cold War rapprochement with Moscow and roots in the peace movement. (#WACquiz)

U.S. military forces fought alongside Kurdish-militia fighters at a prison in Hasaka, Syria being held by THIS group. It had previously captured large swaths of Iraq and Syria before being displaced from its “Caliphate” by a U.S.-led coalition. (#WACquiz)

The Foreign Secretary of THIS NATO nation, a long-time financial hub for Russian oligarchs, threatened severe sanctions against Moscow should it attack Ukraine saying there will be “nowhere to hide … for any company of interest to the Kremlin and the regime in Russia.” (#WACquiz)

The highest number of Covid infections in 18 months has been reported in and around Beijing as China prepares for the opening of the Winter Olympic Games. To deal with the pandemic China has adopted THIS national policy. (#WACquiz)

The “Freedom Convoy” truckers, protesting THIS, ran amok in Ottawa, as they caused mayhem around the city including desecrating the tomb of the unknown soldier, driving Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau and family from their home for security reasons, and "threatening/illegal/intimidating behavior to police/city workers and other individuals.”

Europeans are justifiably worried that a Russian attack on Ukraine and Western sanctions could lead Moscow to shut off gas supplies. THIS country is most vulnerable as Europe’s largest gas consumer -- Russia supplying over half its supplies -- and dependent on gas after shutting down coal fired and nuclear powered generating plants. (WACA WWNU)