AROUND THE WORLD (as of November 21, 2024)

IN WESTERN COUNTRIES

USA

Foreign Policy

The U.S. State Department is actively utilizing artificial intelligence technologies to optimize its operations and for forecasting purposes, stated the director of the department for data analysis and artificial intelligence, M. Gravis.

The latest aid package to Ukraine, worth $275 million, includes ammunition for HIMARS multiple launch rocket systems, artillery shells, and anti-tank weapons.

The tariffs that elected U.S. President D. Trump intends to impose could cause serious economic damage to EU countries and complicate relations between them and Washington. This assessment is given in an article by The Washington Post.

Elected U.S. President D. Trump intends to nominate M. Whitaker as the new U.S. permanent representative to NATO.

The U.S. used its veto power in the UN Security Council to block a resolution prepared by the “ten” non-permanent members of the Security Council on the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, demanding an immediate and unconditional ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.

United Kingdom

Foreign Policy

The UK Armed Forces will deactivate five military ships, dozens of helicopters, and a drone fleet to cut budget expenditures by £500 million ($630 million) over five years. This was announced by UK Defense Minister J. Healy during a speech in the House of Commons.

The United Kingdom and Moldova have launched a new partnership in the field of defense and security. This was stated in a release by the UK Ministry of Foreign Affairs following the visit of the Foreign Secretary, D. Lamy, to Chișinău.

European Union

Foreign Policy

The new U.S. administration must participate in negotiations to resolve the situation in Ukraine, said Austrian Foreign Minister A. Shallenberg at a press conference with Ukrainian Foreign Minister A. Sibiha.

The European Union and the United States are developing a plan to reduce financial support for foreign oil and gas projects by tens of billions of dollars. This was reported by Bloomberg citing sources.

The European Parliament has approved all 26 commissioners of the new European Commission for the next five years. The Commission will begin work on December 1, 2024, according to the European publication Politico.

The left-wing party “Unsubmissive France” has again submitted a request to initiate the procedure for the impeachment of President E. Macron, which was approved by the Bureau of the National Assembly (lower house of parliament) of France.

German authorities received information about a planned terrorist attack on the “Nord Stream” and “Nord Stream 2” pipelines but did not take it seriously and did nothing to prevent the explosion. This was reported by the German magazine Der Spiegel, citing its own investigation.

China and Asia-Pacific Countries

China

Foreign Policy

Chinese President Xi Jinping called on France to work together with China to contribute more to the healthy development of China-Europe relations. This statement was made during a meeting with French President E. Macron on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro.

Beijing is paying close attention to the safety of underwater infrastructure and requires Chinese-flagged ships to strictly comply with international maritime rules. This was stated by Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian during a briefing, commenting on the incident involving the damage of two underwater cables in the Baltic Sea.

According to CNN, Beijing refused a U.S. proposal to organize a meeting of defense ministers at the end of November 2024 due to the U.S. arms sale to Taiwan.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian commented on Western long-range missile strikes from Ukrainian territory and the updated Russian nuclear doctrine, stating that both Moscow and Kyiv should promote de-escalation and reduce strategic risks.

Asia-Pacific Countries

Foreign Policy

India’s permanent representative to the UN, P. Harish, stated that the structure of the UN Security Council is outdated and does not reflect the realities of the modern world. He mentioned that the reform process for this structure is proceeding slowly.

According to The Globe and Mail, Canadian intelligence services believe that Indian Prime Minister N. Modi may have been aware of the planned murder of one of Canada’s Sikh community leaders, Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

New Japanese Prime Minister S. Ishiba stated that he does not plan to confront the future administration of elected U.S. President D. Trump but intends to work with it to build cooperative relations. This was stated by the Japanese leader at a press conference following the G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro.

The U.S. State Department has approved a possible sale of equipment to the Republic of Korea to modernize F-15 fighter jets for over $6.2 billion. This was reported by the U.S. Department of Defense’s Security Cooperation Agency.

Russia and Central Asia

Russia

Domestic Politics

The State Duma has approved the introduction of ruble special accounts for foreign agents in the first reading. However, money can only be withdrawn if the entity is removed from the “agent” register.

Foreign Policy

The U.S., by using its veto power and blocking a Middle Eastern resolution by the “ten” non-permanent members of the UN Security Council, admitted full responsibility for the deaths of tens of thousands of Palestinians. This was stated by Russia’s permanent representative to the UN, V. Nebenzya.

Economic Block

The Russian government has completed the formation of eight national projects aimed at technological leadership. These projects will receive 3 trillion rubles from the Russian federal budget by 2030, as reported by First Deputy Prime Minister D. Manturov during a meeting with President V. Putin. The president instructed officials to address rare earth metal mining, which is a strategically important resource for the country.

M. Mishustin emphasized the importance of accelerating the mass production of all types of aircraft, including fully updated Superjets, Tu-214, Il-96, Il-114, and Baikal. According to him, necessary funding for the mass production of Russian passenger planes and helicopters has already been allocated. Authorities expect to begin deliveries of the Russian MC-21 passenger aircraft to airlines in 2025.

Amid the EU’s increased tariffs starting July 1, Russia has nearly ceased its grain exports to EU countries, exporting only 21 thousand euros worth of products in September, according to Eurostat data.

Security Block

Ukrainian Armed Forces have for the first time struck the Kursk region of Russia using British Storm Shadow missiles, reports Bloomberg. The agency states that London approved the use of these missiles in response to Moscow allegedly involving North Korean soldiers in the Ukraine conflict. UK authorities did not comment on reports that Ukraine launched British long-range missiles onto Russian territory.

Uzbekistan

Domestic Politics

President Sh. Mirziyoyev signed a decree appointing A. Aripov as the Prime Minister of Uzbekistan. The president described him as a “leader with significant organizational potential, possessing knowledge and experience in the executive branch, and always deeply aware of his responsibilities.”

Economic Block

The President of the Republic of Uzbekistan outlined the government’s priority tasks for the next five years, including increasing GDP to $160 billion, maintaining economic growth at 6-7%, achieving a private sector share of 85% in the economy, keeping inflation within 5-6%, reducing poverty by 1 million people, and implementing social reforms.

Foreign Policy

Uzbekistan plans to introduce border crossings with Kazakhstan and Tajikistan using ID cards. President Sh. Mirziyoyev, speaking in the lower house of the Oliy Majlis, emphasized the importance of strengthening good-neighborly relations with Central Asian countries.

Uzbekistan’s new ambassador to Afghanistan, O. Usmanov, presented his credentials to the acting head of the Taliban’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, A. Muttaqi, and assured that he would work on developing bilateral relations, which are currently on the rise. In the press release from the Taliban’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Uzbek media, O. Usmanov is referred to as the ambassador. Uzbekistan can be considered the second country after China to take this step.

Tajikistan

Economic Block

A Tajik delegation, led by Industry and New Technologies Minister Sh. Kabirov, is on a visit to ASEAN countries to strengthen economic and investment cooperation. In Kuala Lumpur, negotiations were held with the Malaysian government, major companies, and a joint business forum.

Foreign Policy

Beijing has called on Dushanbe to investigate the death of a Chinese citizen in an attack on a Chinese company’s camp on November 18, near the Afghan border. The motives and identities of the attackers are still unknown. The area where the incident occurred is often used by Afghan drug traffickers to smuggle drugs into Tajikistan.

Kyrgyzstan

Security Block

Head of the State Committee for National Security (GKNB) K. Tashiev stated that the security services thwarted two assassination attempts on S. Japarov and 5-6 attempts on himself. A letter containing threats to him and his family was received by the State Committee. K. Tashiev revealed that he recognized the handwriting of foreign intelligence services and certain oligarchs. According to him, between 2020-2024, the state recovered up to $1.5 billion from organized criminal groups, criminals, and dishonest oligarchs.

Economic Block

S. Japarov signed a law on “digital nomads” to attract highly qualified IT specialists to Kyrgyzstan, develop innovation projects, boost high-tech industries, increase tax revenues, create jobs, and develop tourism.

In Belarus, Ukraine, Moldova, and the South Caucasus

Belarus

The Department of Nuclear and Radiation Safety of the Ministry of Emergency Situations of the Republic of Belarus (State Atomic Supervision) reported that IAEA inspections are being conducted at the Belarusian Nuclear Power Plant (BelNPP) and the research institution “OIEIA-Sosny” for a physical inventory of nuclear material.

First Deputy Minister of Defense of Belarus, P. Muraveiko, stated on his Telegram channel: “The processes occurring in the world indicate that the range of traditional risks and challenges to military security for the member states of the organization is expanding. The CSTO countries can only confront modern threats together.”

Ukraine

The Director of the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service, S. Naryshkin, stated that the Kremlin will not leave attempts by several NATO countries to participate in strikes deep into Russian territory unpunished.

Hungarian Prime Minister V. Orban believes that the danger of escalation in the Russian-Ukrainian conflict may significantly increase in the next two months, while J. Biden, a supporter of continuing the war, remains in power.

Moldova

During a security conference in Chisinau, the EU Ambassador to Moldova, J. Majeyks, spoke about the increase in military assistance from the European Union to Moldova, whose constitution enshrines neutrality (Moldova became the second country in terms of support volumes in this field after Ukraine).

Armenia

Prime Minister N. Pashinyan announced the appointment of 30-year-old lawyer A. Sargsyan as the new Minister of Internal Affairs of Armenia. She was previously the Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs of the country.

Azerbaijan

Minister of Energy of Azerbaijan P. Shakhbazov held a meeting with the Minister of Climate and Energy of Latvia, K. Melnis, within the framework of COP29. The negotiations focused on the development of renewable energy sources in both countries.

The Azerbaijani Embassy in Kyiv informed the country’s citizens in Ukraine that consular services will not be available on November 21-22 due to “increased risks.”

Georgia

The leader of the party “Girchi – More Freedom,” Z. Djaparidze, announced the suspension of protests in Tbilisi and plans to develop a new course of action.

In the Middle East and North Africa

Jordan

The King of Jordan, Abdullah II, during negotiations with Polish President A. Duda in Amman, discussed bilateral relations and regional events. The visit took place in celebration of the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

Iraq

A national census has begun in Iraq. A nationwide curfew has been introduced across all provinces during the census (November 20–21), and exits from cities and settlements have been blocked.

Palestine

The administration of U.S. President J. Biden has imposed a new package of sanctions on Israeli settlers organizing illegal settlements in the West Bank.

Egypt

Economic Block

The Japanese energy company Toyota Tsusho, together with the Egyptian company Egyptian Orascom Construction, will increase the projected capacity of the Gulf of Suez Wind Farm II in Egypt by 150 MW, bringing the total capacity to 650 MW. This project is part of the Egyptian government’s initiative to increase the share of renewable energy to 42% of total energy production by 2030.

Security Block

As part of expanding cooperation between the defense industries of Egypt and Oman, Egyptian Minister of Military Production M. Salah al-Din met with a delegation from the Omani company “Zaid.” The meeting addressed the manufacturing and technological capabilities of Omani defense companies and their products, as well as issues related to the production of missile launch systems and ammunition for the needs of the Egyptian army.

Iran

Supreme Leader of Iran A. Khamenei met with a group of representatives from the female theological school “Jamiyat al-Zahra,” where he highly praised the role of this educational institution and emphasized the need for the transformation of such seminaries in Iranian society.

Foreign Policy

In Tehran, Iranian Foreign Minister A. Araghchi and his Qatari counterpart M. al-Thani called for an end to Israel’s aggression in the Gaza Strip and Lebanon. They discussed plans for closer consultations and mobilizing all regional and international efforts to prevent further escalation in the region. The parties also noted the importance of expanding cooperation between Tehran and Doha in all areas.

Pakistan

Security Block

In the Mali-Khel area of the Bannu district in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, militants from the terrorist group “Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan” attacked a checkpoint. Twelve Pakistani army soldiers were killed, and six terrorists were eliminated.