ISLAMABAD, 26 November 2021, (TON): The military said “Pakistan has conducted a successful flight test of Shaheen-1A surface-to-surface ballistic missile, aimed at re-validating certain design and technical parameters of the weapon system.”

According to a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) “the flight test was witnessed by Director General Strategic Plans Division Lieutenant General Nadeem Zaki Manj, NESCOM Chairman Dr Raza Samar, Commander Army Strategic Forces Command Lieutenant General Muhammad Ali and the scientists and engineers of strategic organisations.”

The statement said that the Director-General Strategic Plans Division congratulated scientists and engineers on the successful conduct of the flight test. He appreciated the technical prowess, dedication and commitment of scientists and engineers for their excellent contribution.

According to the ISPR “President Arif Alvi, Prime Minister Imran Khan, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee Gen Nadeem Raza and Services Chiefs congratulated the scientists and engineers on this achievement.”

In March, the armed forces had conducted a successful test launch of the Shaheen 1-A medium-range ballistic missile.

The military's media wing said "the missile spanned a range of 900 kilometres and the test flight was aimed at the re-validating of various design and technical parameters of the weapon system including an advanced navigation system.”

Dubai, 25 November 2021, (TON): The official Emirati news agency said “the United Arab Emirates announced today a $10 billion fund for investments in Turkey.”

The announcement comes after Abu Dhabi's Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed held talks with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara on Wednesday, opening a new chapter in relations between the two countries.

Local media said that the move was "to support the Turkish economy and boost bilateral cooperation between the two countries".

WASHINGTON, 25 November 2021, (TON): The US special envoy said “the United States will not “sit idly” on Iran if it drags its feet on returning to a nuclear accord in talks resuming next week.”

US negotiator Rob Malley told National Public Radio “if they start getting too close, too close for comfort, then of course we will not be prepared to sit idly.”

Iran will return to talks in Vienna with world powers on Monday after a five-month gap following the election of an ultra-conservative president, Ebrahim Raisi.

The negotiations come after the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, back from a visit to Iran, said there had been no progress in talks on disputes over the country’s program.

President Joe Biden’s administration opened the talks earlier this year in hopes of returning the United States to a 2015 nuclear accord trashed by predecessor Donald Trump, but has failed to reach an understanding with Iran.

DUBAI, 25 November 2021, (TON): State news agency reported “the UAE and Iran held talks in an attempt to develop political, economic and trade relations between the two neighboring countries.”

Dr. Anwar Gargash, diplomatic adviser to the UAE President, met with Ali Bagheri Kani, Iranian deputy foreign minister for political affairs in Dubai, during his visit to the UAE. Emirati minister of state for foreign affairs Khalifa Shaheen Almarar also attended the meeting.

Media sources said “the meeting discussed relations between the UAE and Iran, and the two sides emphasized the importance of strengthening them on the basis of good neighborliness and mutual respect within the framework of common interests, working to achieve more stability and prosperity in the region, and developing economic and trade relations.”

The meeting also dealt with regional and international developments.

KHARTOUM, 25 November 2021, (TON): Sudan’s newly reinstated Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok ordered a halt to sackings and a review of all appointments made after his detention in last month’s military coup.

Top General Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan had grabbed power and detained Hamdok on Oct. 25 but, following international condemnation and mass protests, reinstated the premier last Sunday.

After the coup Al-Burhan had dissolved major institutions and dismissed the heads of state media, public companies and banks as well as many provincial officials.

Ambassadors who had announced their defections were also relieved of their duties.

Hamdok himself was placed under house arrest after the putsch, which sparked a wave of mass street protests that triggered a deadly crackdown by the security forces.

Hamdok said “in a statement that he had ordered “an immediate halt to dismissals and hirings in national and local public institutions until further notice.”

The prime minister, who is still without a Cabinet after returning to his post in a controversial deal with Al-Burhan, said “recent hirings and dismissals will be studied and reviewed.”

Twelve out of 17 ministers from Sudan’s bloc calling for a purely civilian government resigned on Monday, rejecting Hamdok’s strategy of engaging with the military.

WASHINGTON, 25 November 2021, (TON): The head of the Central Command (CENTCOM) of the US Armed Forces, Kenneth Mackenzie, believes that over the past time Iran has made great progress in the development of its nuclear program and is now “very close” to the possibility of creating nuclear weapons.

Mackenzie said in an interview “they’re very close this time.”

A senior US military added “I think they (Iran) like the idea of a breakthrough.”

He further added “diplomats are leading this process, but Central Command always has various plans of action that we can implement if instructed.”

TEL AVIV, 25 November 2021, (TON): Israeli Defense Minister Beni Gantz said that he signed a memorandum of understanding in the defense field with the Moroccan minister-delegate to the head of government for national defense Abdellatif Ludiya in Rabat.

The Israeli Defense Ministry said “we have just signed a memorandum of understanding in the field of defense with Morocco. This is a very important event that will allow us to work on joint projects and develop industrial cooperation. Relations between Israel and Morocco should be expanded and strengthened.”

The press service said “the agreement provides a solid foundation that formalizes defense relations between countries and lays the foundation for future cooperation. This [memorandum] will allow the defense ministries of the two countries to expand cooperation in intelligence, industrial cooperation, military training and more.”

The Defense Ministry said “the agreement is a significant step in deepening relations between Israel and Morocco, which already benefit from increased economic cooperation, bilateral tourism and warm relations between peoples.”

MOSCOW, 25 November 2021, (TON): A source familiar with the situation told media “Russian radar systems are escorting a US strategic reconnaissance aircraft that flies around the Kalini-ngrad region.”

According to Flight Radar-24, a US strategic reconnaissance aircraft Boeing RC-135 with tail number 64-14842 and callsign JAKE11 is flying around the Russian enclave.

The agency’s interlocutor said “the forces stationed in the Kaliningrad region are monitoring the actions of the American” intelligence officer “by means of active and passive radar and radio-technical intelligence.”

WASHINGTON, 25 November 2021, (TON): Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Dr. Colin Kahl met virtually today with his Spanish counterpart, Secretary General for Defense Policy, Admiral Juan Martí-nez Núñez.

The two leaders confirmed the robust bilateral defense relationship between the United States and Spain.

Dr. Kahl recognized Spain as a steadfast NATO Ally and reliable friend of the United States. He thanked Admiral Martí-nez Núñez for Spain’s support during the Afghanistan war and evacuation.

The two leaders discussed a range of security challenges facing NATO, and emphasized the importance of Alliance unity.

WASHINGTON, 25 November 2021, (TON): Deputy Secretary of State Wendy R. Sherman met with Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis on Wednesday in Washington, D.C.

Deputy Secretary Sherman and Foreign Minister Landsbergis reaffirmed our strong defense and economic ties as well as our commitment to promoting democracy and human rights within the Transatlantic region and across the globe.

The two leaders welcomed efforts to enhance our already robust economic relationship with the November 23 signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Export-Import Bank of the United States and the Government of Lithuania, which will deepen links between U.S. and Lithuanian businesses.

The Deputy Secretary underscored ironclad U.S. solidarity with our NATO ally and EU partner Lithuania as it faces geopolitical challenges to regional stability, security, and economic prosperity.

The two leaders expressed their shared concern with Russia’s unusual military activity on the border with Ukraine and inflammatory rhetoric, and they called on Russia to deescalate tensions.