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 covers the recent coup in Burkina Faso.  Last Sunday, a group of soldiers in the country mutinied, arguing that the country’s democratic government was not doing enough to battle Islamic militants or care for soldiers who have been wounded or killed in the struggle.  The coup is the fourth to hit West Africa this year and has been criticized by the United Nations, with the United States and the West African economic bloc ECOWAS expressing concern.  Despite the criticism from international observers, the coup does have sizeable public support but it is unclear whether the new military junta will enhance  the nation’s security.