1. Is Yoon Suk-yeol too unpopular to effectively govern?
2. What was Russia’s biggest miscalculation in its invasion of Ukraine?
3. How will the Taliban’s new dress decree for women affect its efforts to get greater international recognition?
4. After bad results in local elections, should the Conservative Party ditch Boris Johnson?
5. How can Tunisia avoid economic collapse?
6. What reforms are needed of international institutions in order to make them more effective?
7. Should Mexico adopt electoral reforms proposed by AMLO?
8. Does the Philippines have a “strongman problem”?
9. How should the Quad respond to China’s security pact with the Solomon Islands?
10. Why is Turkey trying to form a closer relationship with Saudi Arabia?
Category: International Extemp Page 6 of 56
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Over the next month and a half, Extemp Central will provide R&Ds on the topic areas for the 2022 NSDA National Tournament. USX topic areas will have R&Ds posted on Thursday and IX topic areas will have R&Ds posted on Friday. This is meant to help extempers assemble resources to prepare for the competition in Louisville. This week we tackle IX topic area #1 on Africa.
The ‘War on Terror’ did much to feed terrorism in the Horn of Africa. The 2006 Ethiopia invasion of Somalia was encouraged by the US as it sought to oust the Islamic Court Union, writes Alex Vines (@AfricaProg). https://t.co/weLLEmJeYX
— Chatham House (@ChathamHouse) April 30, 2022
Ethiopia continues to present a major source of instability for the Horn of Africa region and beyond. Mediation efforts by the African Union have made little progress, writes Alex Vines (@AfricaProg).https://t.co/sDvNVkTLo8
— Chatham House (@ChathamHouse) April 16, 2022
The U.S. announced $670 Million in food aid for Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, and Yemen, where the war in Ukraine has exacerbated food insecurity.
Michelle Gavin outlines what to know about East Africa’s growing food crisis. https://t.co/OfnheXloc8
— Council on Foreign Relations (@CFR_org) April 28, 2022
1. Will Vladimir Putin use tactical nuclear weapons in Ukraine?
2. How are drones reshaping global national security policy?
3. Should the EU expel Hungary for agreeing to Russia’s energy demands?
4. What can the WTO do to combat export bans on agricultural goods?
5. Which party will win the upcoming Lebanese elections?
6. Is Bangladesh sliding into autocracy?
7. If the Balkans fragile peace disintegrates, how should NATO respond?
8. Will Kim Jong-un’s provocative rhetoric cause Japan to build its own nuclear deterrent?
9. Should the international community extend more debt relief to African nations?
10. Can the EU-Mercosur free trade agreement be salvaged?
Today’s R&D is brought to you by Prepd (pronounced “prepped”). Prepd is building debate technology that helps extempers and congressional debaters research, practice, and compete. Visit www.prepd.in to learn more.
This week’s R&D from Prepd covers recent violence in Israel. Muslim worshippers and Israeli police clashed a few weeks ago at the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem, leading to the suspension of the United Arab List in Israel’s governing coalition. There have been other clashes near holy sites as well, leading to fears of a third intifada, or uprising, by Palestinians. Recent violence has also spilled beyond Israel’s borders as the country made a military strike on Southern Lebanon after a rocket was fired into Northern Israel four days ago.
Israelis and Palestinians have traded fire across the Gaza frontier, and continued to clash in Jerusalem. Last year, amid the last flare-up of violence, @carlbildt highlighted four principles that should underpin a lasting peace agreement. https://t.co/OG8J6XmSrr
— Project Syndicate (@ProSyn) April 21, 2022
The two leaders discussed recent efforts to stop violence in Israel and the West Bank, including at the Haram al-Sharif/Temple Mount complex in Jerusalem.https://t.co/PMMVDz7YAf
— The Jerusalem Post (@Jerusalem_Post) April 26, 2022
Israel fired artillery shells into southern Lebanon after militants there launched a rocket into northern Israel, the Israeli military said https://t.co/oZaHtKrJTN
— The Wall Street Journal (@WSJ) April 25, 2022
1. How can Macron heal a polarized French nation?
2. What effect is the Russia-Ukraine War having on international climate change efforts?
3. Is Israel headed for new elections this summer?
4. Who is to blame for Germany’s dependence on Russian energy?
5. Can Ukraine win?
6. Does Lebanon need to accept an international aid package to rescue its economy?
7. How should the Taliban respond to Pakistan’s recent strikes against the TTP within Afghan territory?
8. Can AUKUS deter a possible Chinese attack on Taiwan?
9. How will the decline of Catholicism across Latin America affect the region’s politics?
10. Does King Abdullah of Jordan need to chart a new path for his country?
1. Can Shehbaz Sharif put Pakistan on better economic footing?
2. How will the sinking of the Moskva affect the course of Russia’s war in Ukraine?
3. Should India pursue a free trade agreement with the United States?
4. Will the BRIC countries soon make a play to de-dollarize the global economy?
5. Would a Le Pen victory in the French presidential election endanger Western European security?
6. Britain’s migrant deal with Rwanda: Innovative or ill-conceived?
7. How can the Canadian government improve productivity growth in the nation’s economy?
8. Has the Juba Peace Agreement been a failure?
9. Will Sri Lanka’s debt default make an economic recovery easier?
10. What steps should the African Union do to stop ISIS’s gains on the continent?
Today’s R&D is brought to you by Prepd (pronounced “prepped”). Prepd is building debate technology that helps extempers and congressional debaters research, practice, and compete. Visit www.prepd.in to learn more.
This week’s R&D from Prepd covers the first round of the French presidential election, which took place on Sunday. President Emmanuel Macron won 27.8% of the vote, while far-right candidate Marine Le Pen won 23.1%. Far-left candidate Jean-Luc Melenchon made a furious charge at the end and captured 22% of ballots. Since no candidate earned a majority, Macron and Le Pen will face off in a runoff round on April 24. This will be a rematch from 2017 where Macron won in a landslide. Political observers predict a close vote as Le Pen could pull votes from other right-wing candidates that did not qualify for the runoff, as well as leftist voters who are dissatisfied with Macron’s leadership.
President Emmanuel Macron of France will face Marine Le Pen, the far-right leader, in the runoff of the French presidential election on April 24. Here is what you need to know. https://t.co/pFLJPfE13n
— New York Times World (@nytimesworld) April 13, 2022
Mélenchon’s strong showing in the first round of the French presidential election, winning 22% of the vote, has put him and his voters in the position of kingmakers https://t.co/DqczQVhvjf
— Financial Times (@FinancialTimes) April 12, 2022
With the second round of the French presidential election just days away, take a deep dive on Emmanuel Macron’s foreign policy doctrine with this piece by @celiabelin: https://t.co/QAvUTGPvG5
— The Brookings Institution (@BrookingsInst) April 12, 2022
1. How should the EU react to the outcome of Hungary’s parliamentary elections?
2. Is Likud poised to return to power in Israel?
3. Will Pakistan’s military intervene in the nation’s political crisis?
4. Is the global economy headed for a “Balkanized” future?
5. What impact did Russia’s invasion of Ukraine have on the first round of the French presidential election?
6. Is Tunisia reverting back to autocracy?
7. Will the ICC ever be able to bring Russian war criminals to justice?
8. Why are COVID-19 cases surging in Hong Kong?
9. How should China respond to AUKUS cooperation on hypersonic missiles?
10. Is Ethiopia’s war in Tigray nearing its end?
Today’s R&D is brought to you by Prepd (pronounced “prepped”). Prepd is building debate technology that helps extempers and congressional debaters research, practice, and compete. Visit www.prepd.in to learn more.
This week’s R&D from Prepd covers Pakistan’s ongoing political crisis. Prime Minister Imran Khan recently tried to avoid a no-confidence vote by dissolving the Pakistani Parliament and calling for new elections, but opposition parties took the decision to the Supreme Court, which ruled yesterday that Khan’s move was illegal. Khan has accused opposition parties of working with foreign powers to remove him.
Pakistan’s Supreme Court says Prime Minister Imran Khan’s move to dissolve parliament was illegal and ordered the house be restored ⤵️ https://t.co/vjMAcI9hWH
— Al Jazeera English (@AJEnglish) April 7, 2022
Prime Minister Imran Khan’s dissolution of the National Assembly is threatening domestic upheaval, writes Zahid Hussain via @CFR_Asia. https://t.co/5gQO5wtzom
— Council on Foreign Relations (@CFR_org) April 6, 2022
Pakistan court rules Imran Khan no-confidence vote block is illegal https://t.co/jRJyepJEUV
— BBC News (World) (@BBCWorld) April 7, 2022
1. Is a third intifada brewing in Israel?
2. Did Russia’s invasion of Ukraine affect the outcome of the Hungarian presidential election?
3. Is Pakistan on the verge of a military coup?
4. If Belarus gets directly involved in Russia’s war in Ukraine, how should the West respond?
5. Should democratic nations work to wean themselves off of trade with autocratic ones?
6. Is Mexico’s military performing too many government functions?
7. Has Xi Jinping’s consolidation of power undermined China’s foreign policy interests?
8. Should the Taliban wait for better economic conditions before banning opium cultivation?
9. Will Yemen’s ceasefire pave the way for a lasting peace deal?
10. What does the outcome of Costa Rica’s presidential election mean for the country’s economic direction?
1. Should Russia be expelled from the G20?
2. How can President Gotabaya Rajapaksa end Sri Lanka’s economic difficulties?
3. Why is Russia losing so many generals in the Ukrainian conflict?
4. Should Arab governments prioritize the Israeli-Palestinian peace process or preventing Iran from developing a nuclear weapon?
5. Would a Chinese-Solomon Islands security pact constitute a grave threat to Australia’s national security?
6. Does NATO need France?
7. Is globalization nearing its end?
8. Will the AfCFTA provide a significant economic boost to participating African nations?
9. Why is the UAE rehabilitating Syrian President Bashar al-Assad?
10. Will Jokowi try to extend his presidential tenure?
Today’s R&D is brought to you by Prepd (pronounced “prepped”). Prepd is building debate technology that helps extempers and congressional debaters research, practice, and compete. Visit www.prepd.in to learn more.
This week’s R&D from Prepd covers Ukrainian refugees. CBS News reported yesterday that 3.6 million Ukrainians have fled the country due to Russia’s invasion, while the BBC recently noted that another 6.5 million are believed to be displaced inside of the country. The Biden administration announced that the U.S. would be accepting 100,000 refugees and pledged additional monies for assistance. Neighboring countries like Poland have accepted the bulk of Ukraine’s refugees thus far.
The United States will welcome up to 100,000 Ukrainians, as Russia’s monthlong assault has forced more than three million to flee their country, and with millions more likely to seek safe haven outside Ukraine. https://t.co/L0ZnRhWUyk
— NYT National News (@NYTNational) March 24, 2022
Europe is currently experiencing the largest movement of refugees since World War II. The willingness to help is vast and armies of volunteers are helping out as governments begin mobilizing resources. But will it be enough? https://t.co/HEd7VWzc4X
— SPIEGEL English (@SPIEGEL_English) March 23, 2022
The figure, outlined Sunday by United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi, amounts to about a quarter of the prewar population, which the World Bank estimated at 44 million in 2020. https://t.co/TIkidDI4JB
— The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) March 21, 2022
1. How will China’s latest COVID outbreaks affect the global economy?
2. What should a negotiated solution to Russia’s war in Ukraine look like?
3. Is Spain making a mistake in recognizing Morocco’s plan for governing Western Sahara?
4. How seriously should Western nations take Vladimir Putin’s nuclear threats?
5. Has globalization made autocracies stronger?
6. With less than a month to go, which two candidates will make the French presidential runoff?
7. What steps can the international community take to end human trafficking?
8. How will Brazil’s blocking of Telegram impact this year’s presidential election?
9. Is it fair to characterize Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan as a democratic reformer?
10. Will Gabriel Boric enjoy a successful presidential term?
Today’s R&D is brought to you by Prepd (pronounced “prepped”). Prepd is building debate technology that helps extempers and congressional debaters research, practice, and compete. Visit www.prepd.in to learn more.
This week’s R&D from Prepd covers Chilean politics. Gabriel Boric, a former student activist, was sworn in as Chile’s new president last week. Boric campaigned on a platform of social and environmental justice, pledging to move Chile away from the free market economic model of General Augusto Pinochet, who led Chile from December 1974-March 1990. Markets are wary of his plans because of his association with communist groups, but Boric argues that his reforms will create more growth in the nation’s economy and be budget neutral.
On Friday, Gabriel Boric was officially sworn in as Chile’s president.
— World Politics Review (@WPReview) March 14, 2022
His success will depend on “his ability to forge partnerships beyond the ranks of the far-left political family from which he has emerged,” wrote Cristóbal Kaltwasser last December.https://t.co/ghth7TptEv
For now, all eyes will be on Chile’s boyish Gabriel Boric https://t.co/gcW2S4xmEe
— The Economist (@TheEconomist) March 14, 2022
Chile’s Boric pledges to balance social reforms with fiscal caution https://t.co/9hIXOEsyrh pic.twitter.com/TGWkTdqEUq
— Reuters (@Reuters) March 15, 2022
New Chilean President Gabriel Boric is set to be sworn in on Friday as the country’s youngest ever president. Mr. Boric has big plans to transform the country’s market-oriented economic model with progressive social reform and a focus on fighting … https://t.co/H09B21fZkQ
— The Christian Science Monitor (@csmonitor) March 11, 2022
Gabriel Boric: The president on a mission to breakaway from Chile’s Pinochet past https://t.co/qOrMKVMTK4
— The Times (@thetimes) March 12, 2022
Chile’s latest revolution: President Boric pledges gender equality https://t.co/nP9DTo9HO8
— The Independent (@Independent) March 13, 2022
Left-leaning former student leader Gabriel Boric vowed to improve the lives of all Chileans and attack deep inequality that has sparked massive protests, hours after being inaugurated Friday as the youngest president in the country’s historyhttps://t.co/ayVAIU0GVY
— The Hindu (@the_hindu) March 12, 2022
Boric sworn in as Chile’s youngest-ever President: “Violation of Human Rights will never happen again” https://t.co/Sr2Wq50Og2
— MercoPress (@MercoPressNews) March 12, 2022
Gabriel Boric’s government may waste money on industrial policy and regulate business so much that it cannot prosper https://t.co/Vr49VBvC26
— The Economist (@TheEconomist) March 12, 2022
Chile’s moderate central bank chief, Mario Marcel, has been appointed finance minister by incoming president Gabriel Boric. Analysts say the move signals Boric, the social democrat, is more modern and pragmatic than anti-market https://t.co/jvqg1ilNI6
— Financial Times (@FinancialTimes) January 21, 2022
1. Should the ICC indict Vladimir Putin?
2. To what degree can the West continue to provide military support to Ukraine without escalating the conflict beyond its borders?
3. Why did Yoon Suk Yeol win South Korea’s presidential election?
4. Is the ongoing war in Ukraine doing lasting damage to the United Nations’ credibility?
5. How will Turkey’s move to establish diplomatic relations with Armenia impact the tense relationship between Armenia and Azerbaijan?
6. Is a new “pink tide” poised to sweep across Latin America this year?
7. Should the world’s central banks ignore rising energy costs?
8. What impact would the removal of U.S. sanctions have on Venezuela’s economy?
9. Is China’s economic growth target too ambitious?
10. Will punishing economic sanctions make Russia the next North Korea?