What in the World? Quiz – 2022 Year In Review

Satellites operated by THIS group caused near misses with China’s space station in January according to a complaint filed with the United Nations. They have orbited over 1,900 satellites to provide Internet service.[Jan 3]

Washington and the EU levied sanctions on Nicaragua in January over the recent “sham” elections called “patomime” by President Biden. They accused THIS former Marxist guerrilla and Sandanista leader and his wife, Vice President elect Rosario Murillo, of fostering a return to authoritarianism. [Jan 17]

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.” [Jan 31]

Leaders in THIS eastern region of Ukraine, consisting of unrecognized separatist states Donetsk and Luhansk, called for full military mobilization and ordered evacuation of women and children to nearby Russian territory in advance of conflict. [Feb 21]

Russian President Vladimir Putin, labeled a “war criminal” by President Biden, is assessed as driven to overcome the humiliation of the Soviet defeat in the Cold War. During that period Putin held THIS position. [Mar 21]

Japan and Australia, partners with India and the United States in THIS alliance, pressed New Delhi on its position over Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in March. At a meeting with Indian PM Modi, Australian PM Morrison said, “The cooperation of like-minded liberal democracies is key to an open, inclusive, resilient and prosperous Indo-Pacific.” [Mar 21]

Prince Hamzah, former crown prince of THIS country and son of the late King Hussein and Queen Noor renounced the title of Prince in April. He has clashed in the past with King Abdullah and was placed under house arrest last year. [Apr 4]

Russia is looking to THIS Latin American country for support as it faces removal from international institutions like the G20, the World Bank and the IMF. President Bolsonaro visited Putin days before the Ukraine invasion and the country has remained neutral on denouncing Russia. [Apr 25]

The vote for Northern Ireland Assembly seats was a victory for THIS political party, once the political wing of the Irish Republican Army, a first for a nationalist organization. [May 9]

President Joe Biden, on a visit to Japan, said that Beijing was “flirting with danger” over military provocations against THIS island and he said the U.S. would support it if attacked by China. [May 23]

President Biden is set to visit Saudi Arabia in July to pursue better relations – and increased oil production -- with THIS crown prince, the de facto leader. The visit is a turnaround for Biden who promised to make Riyadh’s leaders the “pariah that they are” following the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi by a Saudi hit team in 2018. [Jun 6]

The leaders of France, Germany, Italy and Romania visited Ukraine and met President Zelensky coming away with commitments to the beleaguered nation including membership in the European Union. THIS German Chancellor said they had a clear message, “Ukraine belongs to the European family.” [Jun 20]

The foreign ministers of THESE TWO countries opened formal accession talks with NATO following last week’s application acceptance. The two previously non-aligned nations were spurred to join the alliance after Russia invaded Ukraine in February. [Jul 4]

The White House said the visit of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to Taiwan was not a change in policy, governed by the THIS long-standing Washington approach to the U.S.-China relationship. [Aug 8]

Scandal-plagued British Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s successor was THIS former Conservative Party politician and Foreign Secretary. [Sep 5]

Russian and Chinese leaders met in Samarkand this week where Xi remained ambiguous about Beijing’s position on the Ukrainian invasion. Putin appeared hopeful for more practical and rhetorical support considering the two pledged “no limits” on Russo-Sino relations during their February meeting on the sideline of THIS event. [Sep 19]

OPEC and allied oil producers announced a two percent cut in output that stunned the Biden Administration with Secretary of State Blinken called “disappointing” because of THIS country’s energy alliance with Russia. [Oct 10]

Famine is again gripping THIS east African nation but the government in Mogadishu has been slow to make an official declaration, unlocking international aid, to avoid giving a strategic advantage to the insurgent Al Shabab group. [Nov 7]

The first Biden Administration State Dinner was held to honor THIS visiting leader and to recognize America’s earliest strategic ally. [Dec 5]