The Extemper's BibleQuestion: How will recent cuts to the Department of Veterans Affairs impact veterans’ healthcare nationwide? Thought Process: There were recent cuts to the Department of Veterans Affairs which have threatened the stability of a healthcare system that millions of veterans rely on as their primary or only source of care. The VA serves a population […]
Question: Is the United States a healthier nation than it was 10 years ago? Thought Process: The United States is less healthy now than it was 10 years ago because mental health issues have increased, more people are using drugs, and obesity rates have risen. Poor lifestyle choices, social isolation, and environmental factors have worsened […]
Question: Is the future of the Democratic Party to the Center or to the left? Thought Process: After the significant loss of the Democrat party during the 2024 elections, many Democrats are reassessing if they’ve gone too far left. Considering that moderate voters are always the battleground in elections, it’s essential to understand why shifting […]
October 30th, 2025 Question: Will Trump’s agreements with ASEAN hold? Thought Process: Tensions are mounting as questions arise over the durability of President Trump’s new trade and security arrangements with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). While the agreements promised renewed U.S. engagement in the Indo-Pacific, skepticism persists among member states over Washington’s consistency, […]
Question: Is Thailand on the brink of a political crisis? Thought Process: Currently, Thailand has seen heightened political tension, mainly caused by differences between modern-minded citizens and traditional military-royalist groups. An opposition movement has currently gained public support, growing the frustration across the population. Economic slowdowns and continued inequality under the present political party are […]
Question: How will India respond to recent U.S. tariffs on its economy? Thought Process: In answering, balance India’s policy options, targeted countermeasures, World Trade Organization litigation, and sectoral relief. Emphasize diplomatic signaling, supply-chain reorientation, and the distinction between short-term economic shock and somewhat longer-term adjustment. Increased retaliation Divisions in the Market More investor reassurance through […]
Question: Who is the best mediating party in Sudan? Thought Process: Sudan’s conflict is a humanitarian and geopolitical crisis, with failed ceasefires and violence between the army and the Rapid Support Forces. Many groups, like the African Union, the U.S., and Gulf states, have attempted to mediate the conflict. A balanced approach to credibility and […]
Question: How will Japan’s prime minister resignation impact leadership and Asian stability? Thought Process: When answering this question, it’s vital to consider Japan’s influence in the South East Asian region, and how domestic politics can spill over into Diplomacy. Shigeru Ishaba’s departure from the premiership is paving the way for a consistent pattern of a […]
DX – Kavin Selva Will the tariff truce last between the United States and China? First Thoughts – I know that the trade war between the United States started roughly halfway through Trump’s first presidency. The original justification for increasing tariffs was that China engaged in unfair economic practices, with issues such as intellectual property […]
Eric Qian – IX Should OPEC work with its member countries to establish a bloc-wide sovereign wealth fund to ensure economic stability post-oil? This question is one of the released questions for the 2025 NIETOC—it’s from round 2 on regional alliances (IX). Upon reading this question, the answer is probably yes. OPEC needs to diversify […]
IX – Eric Qian What will be Yoon Suk Yeol’s legacy? To be completely honest, this is not a fun question. Not a complicated one—but weirdly broad and predictive. A politician’s legacy is determined by what they’re remembered for; that’s determined by common themes across their time in office. One theme I see with Yoon […]
IX – Eric Qian Now that the Sudanese Armed Forces have recaptured Khartoum, is the civil war nearing an end? This is a tricky prediction question, but I think it’s helpful to think about what makes civil wars come to an end. The Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces would need to negotiate […]