Diary

Expected reopening of Rafah crossing amid deepening humanitarian crisis in Gaza

The Rafah border crossing is expected to reopen on Thursday or Sunday, according to Israeli media, amid a deepening humanitarian crisis in Gaza and growing international pressure to advance the second phase of the ceasefire agreement following Israel’s recovery of the body of its last captive.

Developments in Iran after US military buildup

Developments surround Iran as US President Donald Trump says a “massive armada” is heading toward the country, alongside continued US military buildup and warnings of possible action.

⁠Situation in northeastern Syria amid SDF ceasefire violations

Security and humanitarian developments surrounding the implementation of the Syrian government–SDF ceasefire, extended for 15 days until Feb. 8, amid ongoing violations by the terror group in northeastern Syria and additional fatalities caused by its landmines.

German chancellor to deliver government statement on Europe

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz will address parliament on Jan. 29 on the outcomes of last week's informal EU summit and current foreign policy matters. His 20-minute statement will be followed by a 90-minute debate.

Merz meets Lithuanian premier

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz will receive Lithuanian Prime Minister Inga Ruginiene with military honors at the Federal Chancellery on Thursday for her inaugural visit. The discussions will cover bilateral relations, European policy issues, Ukraine, and Euro-Atlantic security, including the deployment of the 45th Panzer Brigade in Lithuania. A joint press conference will follow the meeting.

EU foreign ministers gather in Brussels

European Union foreign ministers will meet in Brussels to discuss developments in Iran, the ongoing war in Ukraine, and the situation in the Middle East. The ministers will also exchange views with UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk. The EU-Morocco Association Council will also be held on the sidelines.

Turkish President Erdogan to officially welcome Uzbek counterpart Mirziyoyev in Ankara

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will officially welcome Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev at the Presidential Complex in Ankara. Following bilateral talks, the leaders will attend the Fourth Meeting of the Türkiye-Uzbekistan High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council.

Erdogan will attend the signing ceremony of agreements at the Presidential Complex, deliver a joint statement, attend the cornerstone-laying ceremony of the Uzbek school, inaugurate the residences built in Hatay, personally hand over keys to five earthquake-affected families, and attend the official dinner.

Trump to chair Cabinet meeting

US President Donald Trump will attend a Cabinet meeting at the White House, where top administration figures are expected to brief him on policy and take questions from reporters.

Later, Trump is expected to make an announcement on an unspecified subject.

US border czar to hold news conference in Minneapolis

Tom Homan, architect of the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement policy, will hold a news conference in Minneapolis, Minnesota, where protests have continued for weeks after a surge of federal agents and the killing of two US citizens.

UN Security Council to vote on mandate extensions

The UN Security Council will vote on separate draft resolutions to renew the mandates of the UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus and the UN Integrated Office in Haiti, both expiring at the end of the month.

US Senate committee to hold confirmation hearing on NSA director nominee

The Senate Intelligence Committee will hold an open hearing to consider the nomination of Lt. Gen. Joshua Rudd to be director of the National Security Agency.

Putin to meet with UAE president in Moscow

Russian President Vladimir Putin will meet with his United Arab Emirates counterpart, Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who will be in Russia on an official visit. The UAE provides a platform for the US-mediated Russia-Ukraine talks aimed at ending the war. The second round of talks will be held on Feb. 1, also in Abu Dhabi, according to the Kremlin.

Candidate submissions for Republic of Congo's presidential election begin

The Republic of Congo will officially open the registration period for presidential candidates on Thursday, which will continue until Feb. 12 in preparation for the March 22 presidential election. The ruling Congolese Party of Labour nominated incumbent President Denis Sassou Nguesso, 82, who has been in power since 1997, at its December congress.

China’s Xi hosts British premier in Beijing

Chinese President Xi Jinping hosts UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer in Beijing. Starmer is also scheduled to meet with Premier Li Qiang. The visit marks the 1st time a British premier has visited China in eight years.

Outcome of ASEAN top diplomats’ meeting in Philippines

Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Theresa Lazaro to deliver the outcome of the meeting between foreign ministers of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, who met in the Filipino city of Cebu. Elections in Myanmar topped the agenda. Manila is the current chair of the 11-member bloc.

Bangladesh, Pakistan resume direct flights after 14-year hiatus

Bangladesh and Pakistan resume direct flights for the first time in 14 years, indicating improved ties between the two South Asian countries. The first flight will fly from Dhaka, Bangladesh's capital, to Karachi, Pakistan's commercial capital.

ICJ concludes hearing on genocide against Rohingya

The International Court of Justice concludes public hearing on allegations that Myanmar committed genocide against the Rohingya Muslim minority. The proceedings follow an application filed by The Gambia in November 2019, accusing Myanmar of violating the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide.

THE ECONOMY

Türkiye's unemployment

TurkStat to announce monthly unemployment rate figures for December. In November, the rate fell to 8.5%. The country will also release economic confidence data.

US foreign trade

The US will release monthly foreign trade data for November. In October, the country posted a deficit of $29.4B.

US jobless claims

The US will share initial jobless claims figures for last week. The country will also release factory orders data for November.

SPECIAL REPORTS

From blockade to military strikes: What options is Trump weighing against Iran?

Report on rising tensions between the US and Iran as Washington boosts its military presence in the Middle East, fueling speculation that President Donald Trump is moving closer to a potential confrontation with Tehran.

The story examines a range of options under consideration, from intensified economic pressure and naval blockades to limited strikes on missile, drone, and nuclear infrastructure, as well as the possibility of broader military action, cyber operations, or special forces missions.

The report includes analysis from Ryan Bohl, senior Middle East and North Africa analyst at the RANE Network, and Scott Lucas, professor of international politics at University College Dublin.

Between Washington and Beijing: Is Britain recalibrating its China policy?

A report examining whether renewed strains in UK–US relations are opening space for a recalibration of Britain’s foreign policy, as Prime Minister Keir Starmer makes a landmark visit to China -- the first by a British leader in eight years -- alongside a trip to Japan.

Report analyzes the political and strategic context of Starmer’s visit amid shifting global dynamics and transatlantic frictions, assessing how London is balancing its “extremely strong” alliance with Washington against the reality of recent US trade threats and tensions over NATO.

The story includes comments from Wyn Rees, professor of international security and international relations at the University of Nottingham, who stresses that Britain would always choose the US over China if forced but warns that prolonged alliance strains cannot be ignored in shaping the UK’s strategic calculations.

600 days without a regional government: What’s driving Brussels’ political paralysis?

Report on the prolonged political impasse in the Brussels-Capital Region as the city marks 600 days without a fully empowered government, raising concerns over governance, social services, and financial stability.

The report outlines the stalled coalition talks since the June 2024 regional elections, highlighting divisions between Dutch- and French-speaking parties, disputes over budget cuts, and the resignation of formateur Yvan Verougstraete, and examines how the caretaker status limits Brussels’ ability to enact reforms.

The story includes comments from Nicolas Bouteca of Ghent University on the risk that the deadlock could persist until the next regional elections in 2029 unless major compromises are reached.

INTERVIEW - Nigeria–Türkiye trade set for major expansion after Tinubu visit: Business council chair

Interview with Dele Oye, chairman of the Nigeria-Türkiye Business Council, on the rapid deepening of bilateral trade and investment ties following Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s visit to Türkiye and the signing of more than nine cooperation agreements.

Oye explains how the new deals could push annual trade from around $2 billion to over $10 billion by 2026. He highlights Nigeria’s role as a gateway to Africa through the AfCFTA and its large consumer market of more than 230 million people, while underlining Türkiye’s growing footprint in Nigeria’s security and manufacturing sectors.

He also points to the establishment of a high-level Joint Committee on Economy and Trade to de-risk investments, ease market entry for Turkish firms, and deepen political, economic, and cultural ties.