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Iran has sought India’s assistance in addressing Financial Action Task Force (FATF) concerns by offering technical assistance through the Eurasian Group (EAG). Iran, blacklisted by FATF in February 2020 for failing to comply with anti-terror financing norms, is now making efforts to rectify its framework. Vivek Aggarwal, leading India’s EAG delegation, stated that Iran approached India for help, following which a collaboration was initiated to upgrade its legal and financial systems in line with FATF’s global standards. Parent:THE GEOSTRATA #India #Iran #FATF #EAG #AntiTerrorFinancing

The outgoing U.S. administration is preparing a $725 million weapons package for Ukraine. The package reportedly includes ammunition, anti-tank weapons, landmines, drones, and missiles. This move aims to provide Ukraine with billions of dollars worth of arms, ensuring support before President-elect Donald Trump decides how to utilize the remaining funds. Parent:THE GEOSTRATA #ukarine #russia #usa #war #biden #trump #zelensky

Taiwan conducted an early morning air defense drill on November 28, 2024, to test its response procedures ahead of President Lai Ching-te’s Pacific trip, which includes US stopovers. Regional security experts anticipate China will use the trip as a pretext to stage military drills near Taiwan. According to sources, the drill, referred to as a “battle plan exercise,” lasted over two hours and focused on improving the effectiveness of air defense operations while evaluating the engagement protocols of the air defense forces. Parent:THE GEOSTRATA #TaiwanDefense #AirDefenseDrill #MilitaryReadiness

The U.S. imposed sanctions on 21 senior Venezuelan officials for suppressing protests after a disputed July election, citing President Maduro's alleged fraud. Sanctions target ministers and intelligence officials, with visa restrictions announced. Opposition leader Gonzalez, claiming victory, fled to Spain but plans to return in January. The Maduro regime rejects the sanctions and UN criticism of post-election repression. Parent: THE GEOSTRATA #VenezuelaCrisis #Sanctions #ElectionFraud #HumanRights #USForeignPolicy

Brett Holmgren, head of the U.S. National Counterterrorism Center, highlighted the growing threat posed by ISIS in Africa, stating, “They’ve clearly prioritized Africa as a growth opportunity.” The long-term threats to U.S. interests in Africa are significant, as Islamist militants spread instability across regions like Niger, Burkina Faso, and Mali. These groups are now extending their influence toward the southern coastal areas of West Africa. Parent: THE GEOSTRATA #Africa #CounterTerrorism #AfricanConflicts #GlobalSecurity #WestAfrica #ISISThreat #Radicalization #USInterests

India is reported to have conducted a test of the K-4 nuclear-capable submarine- launched ballistic missile (SLBM) with a 3,500-km range from the nuclear-powered submarine INS Arighaat in the Bay of Bengal near Visakhapatnam on Wednesday. While official confirmation is awaited, sources revealed that this marked the first test of the solid-fuelled K-4 missile from the newly commissioned 6,000 tonne submarine, following years of trials using submersible pontoons. Parent: THE GEOSTRATA #indiadefence #K4missile #SLBM #INSArighaat #nuclearsubmarine #missiletest #bayofbengal #defencetechnology #strategicweapons #nationalsecurity

US President-elect Donald Trump has appointed Stanford Medicine Professor, Jay Bhattacharya, as the new Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The NIH oversees 27 centers dedicated to early-stage research, including pandemic vaccine development and drug innovations. Bhattacharya stated that he aims to rebuild public trust in scientific institutions. Notably, he was a vocal critic of the US Covid policy. Parent: THE GEOSTRATA #jaybhattacharya #trump #usa #nationalinstituteofhealth #covidpolicy #nihdirector #trumpadministration

President-elect Donald Trump plans to impose significant tariffs on goods from Mexico and Canada (25%) and increase tariffs on Chinese imports by 10% starting January 20, 2025. The move aims to address illegal immigration, drug trafficking, and trade imbalances. The tariffs, introduced via executive orders, are expected to impact US businesses, consumers, and trade partners, raising concerns over inflation and supply chain disruptions. Mexico, Canada, and China have criticized the plan, warning of economic repercussions. Parent: THE GEOSTRATA #president #trump #tariffs #trade #usa #canada #mexica #china #economy #inflation #immigration

Prolonged unrest in Islamabad by supporters of former premier Imran Khan concluded early Wednesday. Six lives, including those of a police officer and three paramilitary staff, were lost during clashes with Khan’s Pakistan Tehrik-i-Insaf (PTI) followers. Despite stringent military measures, including shoot-on-sight orders, protestors managed to reach the D-Chowk area within the capital’s Red Zone. Parent: THE GEOSTRATA #IslamabadSiege #ImranKhan #PTIProtests #RedZoneCrisis #DChowkUnrest #PakistanProtests #SecurityForces #ShootAtSight #PakistanPolitics

Russian Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu visited Kabul to meet Afghan officials led by Deputy PM Abdul Ghani Baradar, announcing plans to remove the Taliban from Russia’s blacklist. The talks focused on enhancing bilateral relations through trade, transit, investment, and regional connectivity. Shoigu emphasized Russia’s support for Afghanistan’s observer status in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and highlighted cooperation against the IS-K threat.  Parent: THE GEOSTRATA #russia #afghanistan #taliban #sco #sergeishoigu