Diary

ISTANBUL

Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Monday, Dec. 15, 2025 (coverage may change depending on developing/ breaking stories):

Ongoing Israel’s Gaza ceasefire violations

The Israeli army daily breaches the Gaza ceasefire deal by carrying out attacks targeting civilians, demolishing homes and damaging essential infrastructure amid a devastating low-pressure weather system.

Israeli attacks on Lebanon despite ceasefire

The nearly-daily Israeli airstrikes on southern Lebanon on the pretext of targeting Hezbollah members and destroying its infrastructure despite the November 2024 ceasefire deal. The aggressions come amid reports that Beirut had received warnings about Israeli preparations to launch a large-scale offensive in Lebanon.

US envoy Tom Barrack to visit Israel

US envoy Tom Barrack is scheduled to visit Israel for talks with senior Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, amid heightened regional tensions, according to Israeli media. Barrack, who serves as US ambassador to Türkiye and special envoy for Syria, is expected to discuss regional security developments, including the situation in Lebanon and Syria.

China's foreign minister’s visit to Jordan

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi is scheduled to visit the Jordanian capital as part of a regional tour. During his stop in Amman, Wang is expected to hold talks with Jordanian officials focusing on bilateral relations, regional developments in the Middle East. Wang’s Middle East tour runs from Dec. 12 to 16.

Indian premier's visit to Jordan

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit Jordan on Dec. 15–16 as part of a four-day, three-country tour that also includes Ethiopia and Oman, according to the Indian Ministry of External Affairs. During his stop in Amman, Modi is scheduled to meet King Abdullah II to review bilateral relations and exchange views on regional and international issues of mutual interest. He will meet the Indian community in Jordan and attend the India-Jordan Business Forum.

UN Alliance of Civilizations Global forum in Saudi Arabia

The second and final day of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) forum in Saudi Arabia, under the theme “UNAOC: Two Decades of Dialogue for Humanity - Advancing a New Era of Mutual Respect and Understanding in a Multipolar World,” brings together senior UN officials, ministers, diplomats, and civil society representatives.

TÜRKİYE

Turkish president to attend World Turkic Language Family Day event, chair Cabinet meeting

Türkiye's president and AK Party chairman, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, will attend the “Three-Tier Meeting” program to be held at the AK Party Congress Center on the occasion of World Turkic Language Family Day. Erdogan will also chair a Cabinet meeting at the Presidential Complex.

16th Ambassadors Conference

The opening of the 16th Ambassadors Conference, organized by the Turkish Foreign Ministry under the theme “A Foreign Policy that Produces Peace, Stability and Prosperity,” will take place in Ankara.

Trump to attend medal presentation for ‘Mexican border defense’

US President Donald Trump will participate in the awarding of medals to military personnel for their deployment at the US-Mexico border. The event, to be held in the Oval Office, will mark the first presentation of the Mexican Border Defense Medal, which was unveiled in August.

UN Security Council to discuss role of next UN chief

The UN Security Council will hold an open debate on the role and the qualities of the next UN chief, set to take office after the end of current Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’ second term on Dec. 31, 2026. Ban Ki-moon, former UN secretary-general and member of global leaders group The Elders, is one of the expected briefers at the “Leadership for Peace” discussion amid challenges around the world and within the UN.

ELN rebels declare armed strike in Colombia

Colombia’s left-wing National Liberation Army (ELN) rebel group has announced a 72-hour armed strike, ordering civilians in several major cities to remain indoors and restricting transport and commercial activity.

US, Ukrainian, European officials hold talks in Berlin

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz will host E3 leaders’ meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and several European counterparts to discuss the progress of this weekend’s negotiations on a political agreement aimed at ending the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war. Over the weekend, foreign policy advisors from the US, Ukraine, Germany, and other countries, including Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff, held discussions in Berlin.

EU foreign ministers gather in Brussels

EU foreign affairs ministers will meet in Brussels to discuss the ongoing war in Ukraine, continued support for Kyiv, recent US-backed peace initiatives, and developments in the Middle East and China. Ukraine’s foreign minister will join the meeting via video conference to brief his counterparts.

Developments amid talks between Ukrainian, US, European officials in Berlin

Developments on the part of Kyiv, and possibly Moscow, will be followed as talks between Ukrainian, US, and European officials continue in Germany's capital Berlin. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who arrived in Berlin over the weekend, is due to meet German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and European leaders. He also held a meeting with US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and an accompanying delegation on Sunday.

Thailand-Cambodia developments

Monitoring developments along Thailand-Cambodia border amid ongoing renewed deadly clashes, which left at least 34 people dead on both sides. The clashes continue despite a call for peace by US President Donald Trump.

Reactions to Australian Bondi Beach shooting

Developments and reactions following mass shooting in Australia, which killed at least 16 people at Bondi Beach in Sydney.

South Korea announces outcome of probe against ousted president

A South Korean special counsel team to announce the results of its months-long investigation into insurrection charges related to former President Yoon Suk Yeol's short-lived imposition of martial law.

THE ECONOMY

China's industrial production

China to share industrial production figures for November. The country will also release retail sales and unemployment rate data.

Eurozone industrial production

Eurostat to release industrial production data for October. In September, the production was up 0.2% month-on-month.

SPECIAL REPORTS

INTERVIEW – ‘You cannot silence the truth in the face of a genocide’: UN special rapporteur Albanese on sanctions, threats

Interview with UN special rapporteur Francesca Albanese on the mounting pressure on UN officials investigating Israel’s conduct in the occupied Palestinian territories.

Albanese explains how she and some International Criminal Court judges have been targeted with “spurious accusations” of antisemitism and terrorism support, alongside escalating personal and physical threats. She says these attacks reflect broader Western hypocrisy and are aimed at discrediting accountability efforts, but insists they have failed to silence her work documenting Israel’s genocide in Gaza.

Albanese also speaks about the recent cultural boycotts of Israel, including European countries withdrawing from Eurovision, which she calls a striking moment of public dissent. She argues such actions should have occurred at the UN level, urging the suspension of Israel’s membership in the General Assembly.

UN refugee agency calls for renewed solidarity as pressures mount ahead of Geneva review

Report on the Global Refugee Forum Progress Review set to begin in Geneva on Tuesday, with UNHCR officials warning that shrinking funding, rising political resistance, and record levels of displacement threaten hard-won gains in refugee protection.

The story includes an interview with Nicolas Brass, UNHCR’s chief of the global compact on refugees section, who says the meeting must move beyond stock-taking to deliver renewed commitments to refugees and host countries, as multilateral support weakens and low-income nations continue to shoulder a disproportionate share of responsibility.

The report also highlights refugee leadership and inclusion through the experience of Afghan Paralympic medalist Zakia Khudadadi, who says meaningful inclusion can transform lives and societies.

NEW MEDIA

VIDEO – Interview with UN special rapporteur Francesca Albanese about the sanctions and threats she is facing for her work exposing Israel’s genocide in Gaza.

VIDEO – Interview with Nicolas Brass, UNHCR’s chief of the global compact on refugees section, about the main agenda points for the Global Refugee Forum Progress Review set to begin in Geneva this week.