1. The risk of the Israel-Hamas war widening into a regional conflict increased as THIS Iran-backed group in Lebanon launched aerial attacks that were met with Israeli bombing strikes. The group said they would not be deterred from supporting Hamas by “behind-the-scenes calls with us by great powers.”
A. ISIS
B. Islamic Jihad
C. Hezbollah
D. PLO
Correct Response: C. Hezbollah
https://www.economist.com/middle-east-and-africa/2023/10/13/israel-faces-the-danger-of-fighting-on-a-second-front
2. The United States sent aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan to maritime interdiction exercises with Japan and South Korea as Washington accused North Korea of shipping war materials to aid THIS conflict. North Korea usually responds to such maneuvers with missile tests.
A. Hamas’ rocket attacks on Israel
B. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine
C. Iran’s buildup in the Persian Gulf
D. Azerbaijan’s operations in Nagorno-Karabakh
Correct Response: B. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-10-10/us-sends-carrier-group-to-south-korea-for-interdiction-drills
3. In preparation for military operations against Hamas, the Israeli Defense Force has taken THIS step.
A. Agreed to embed Human Rights Watch monitors in ground units
B. Ordered over one million Palestinians to evacuate northern Gaza
C. Accepted U.S. special forces troops in anticipated invasion units
D. Distributed gas masks to communities near Gaza in the event of chemical weapon attacks by Hamas
Correct Response: B. Ordered over one million Palestinians to evacuate northern Gaza
https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-gaza-hamas-war-c8b4fc20e4fd2ef381d5edb7e9e8308c
4. The British Embassy in Yangon blamed THIS government for an artillery attack on a refugee camp near the border with China that killed 29 refugees. The government has been battling resistance groups and armed ethnic militias since it took power in a 2021 coup.
A. Bangladesh
B. Bhutan
C. Myanmar
D. Afghanistan
Correct Response: C. Myanmar
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/many-killed-artillery-strike-northern-myanmar-media-local-sources-2023-10-10/
5. An historic deal between Israel and THIS leading Arab state was almost done before Hamas’ deadly attack against Israel. The negotiations are now reported to be on hold as concerns over the fate of Palestinians have been raised.
A. Egypt
B. Saudi Arabia
C. Kuwait
D. Jordan
Correct Response: B. Saudi Arabia
https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2023-10-13/ty-article/.premium/saudi-arabia-freezes-normalization-talks-with-israel-amid-ongoing-war-with-hamas/0000018b-2a0b-d1bc-a58b-6baf83c20000
6. China and THIS neighbor agreed to avoid hostilities along their 2,167-mile disputed common border. Scores of troops from both of these nuclear-armed states were killed in a June 2020 skirmish and tensions between the countries remains strained over the dispute.
A. Mongolia
B. Afghanistan
C. India
D. Kazakhstan
Correct Response: C. India
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-10-12/china-and-india-agree-to-maintain-peace-along-disputed-border
7. Pakistan has threatened to deport over one million citizens of THIS country who do not have legal status. Over 3.7 million of these citizens are in Pakistan and many fear returning home would lead to harassment, assault, or arbitrary detention.
A. Myanmar
B. Iran
C. India
D. Afghanistan
Correct Response: D. Afghanistan
https://www.hrw.org/news/2023/10/12/pakistan-drop-threat-deport-afghans
8. In the wake of the attack by Hamas, a client of Tehran, the United States and THIS country agreed to freeze release $6 billion in previously sanctioned Iranian funds that were set to be released after a prisoner swap deal.
A. Germany
B. India
C. Qatar
D. Turkey
Correct Response: C. Qatar
https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/white-house/us-qatar-agree-not-release-iran-6-billion-prisoner-swap-rcna120135
9. Voters said No on a ballot in THIS country to approve recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the constitution and creation of a body called the “Voice” to advise the government on their issues
A. Chile
B. South Africa
C. Australia
D. Canada
Correct Response: C. Australia
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-australia-67085710
10. Russia sought a new three-year term, after being suspended in April, to THIS United Nations body, but despite getting 83 of 193 votes in favor, lost to Bulgaria and Albania for the Eastern Europe seats. Albania’s Ambassador said it was important to not “take an arsonist for a firefighter.”
A. World Food Program
B. Human Rights Council
C. World Health Organization
D. UN Security Council
Correct Response: B. Human Rights Council
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-67071697
