Diary

ISTANBUL

Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Friday, March 6, 2026 (coverage may change depending on developing/breaking stories):

Regional escalation amid US-Israeli strikes on Iran and Tehran retaliation

The ongoing US-Israeli war on Iran and Tehran’s retaliatory attacks, along with the political and economic repercussions of the conflict on the region and the world, particularly on Arab and Gulf states. Continued contacts in recent days among Arab leaders and officials, as well as their communications with foreign counterparts to discuss developments in the war.

Israeli escalation in Lebanon amid evacuations, Hezbollah clashes

The Israeli military escalation in Lebanon, including evacuation warnings in southern Lebanon and Beirut’s southern suburbs, resulting in displacement, new ground incursions, and the Lebanese group Hezbollah’s announced confrontations with the Israeli army.

Reactions related to joint US-Israel attacks on Iran, Tehran’s retaliatory attacks

Reactions and statements on developments across the Middle East amid the ongoing US-Israel attacks on Iran -- launched on Feb. 28 while talks between Washington and Tehran over Iran’s nuclear program had been ongoing under Oman’s mediation.

The US-Israel offensive on Iran has killed more than 1,000 people, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and top military officials, while Iran has retaliated with drone and missile strikes targeting Israel as well as Gulf countries, which are home to US assets.

Germany’s Wadephul meets Dutch counterpart

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul will meet with his Dutch counterpart Tom Berendsen in Berlin. The ministers are expected to discuss bilateral and EU issues, the US-Israeli military strikes on Iran, and the escalating situation in the Middle East.

Volker Turk's to hold media stakeout on Middle East

UN human rights chief Volker Turk to hold a media stakeout to give an update regarding the Middle East crisis.

UN briefing

The UN Information Service holds biweekly press briefing. The service reveals its agenda shortly before the briefing, with the most pressing issues around the world, from conflicts to health, expected to be discussed.

Trump to host series of meetings before departing for Mar-a-Lago

US President Donald Trump is slated to participate in a series of meetings, including an unspecified policy meeting, another with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, a meeting with his interior secretary, and a roundtable discussion on college sports, before departing the White House for his Mar-a-Lago Florida estate.

Reports have indicated that one of the meetings will include leading defense contractors as the US president seeks to ramp up weapons production amid the ongoing US-Israeli offensive on Iran. Most of the events are listed as closed to the press.

Top Canadian diplomat to brief reporters

Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand will hold a virtual press briefing to discuss the situation in the Middle East, as the US and Israel continue their war on Iran.

Russia, Ukraine to hold war prisoners exchange

Russia and Ukraine are expected to hold another war prisoner exchange. Both sides also say consultations are underway on organizing the next round of peace talks.

Nepal counts votes as people wait new government

Nepal is counting votes after about 60% turnout in elections, held for the first time since mass protests ousted the Oli Sharma government in September 2025.

Canadian premier visits Japan

Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney pays an official two-day trip to Japan on the last leg of his three-nation Asia tour, which included stops in Australia and India.

Chinese lawmakers deliberate on government report, 5-Year Plan in Beijing

Chinese lawmakers deliberate on the government report, as well as the 15th Five-Year-Plan, as the 14th National People’s Congress continues its 4th session in Beijing as part of the annual "Two Sessions." China has lowered growth expectations between 4.5-5% this year.

Developments as Sri Lanka continues search to find missing Iranian sailors

Developments as Sri Lanka, aided by India, continues search to locate missing Iranian sailors after an Iranian warship, carrying 130 sailors, was attacked by US forces off Sri Lanka. At least 87 of them have been confirmed dead, while 32 others wounded and under treatment in Sri Lanka. The US submarine attack came as part of Washington's joint military campaign with Israel against Iran since Feb. 28.

THE ECONOMY

German industrial production

Destatis to release Germany's monthly industrial production data for January. In December, the production fell 1.9%.

Eurozone GDP

Eurostat will announce GDP figures for the last quarter of 2025. The 27-member bloc's economy has expanded by 1.4% year-on-year in the third quarter of 2025. Market expectation for the last quarter is 1.3%.

US nonfarm payrolls

The US will announce the monthly nonfarm payrolls data for February. In January, the US economy added 130,000 jobs. The country will also release monthly retail sales data for January.

SPECIAL REPORTS

EXPLAINER - Dimona: What to know about Israel’s nuclear complex

Report on Israel’s Dimona nuclear complex after Tehran warned it could target the facility if US-Israeli attempts at “regime change” continue.

The story presents the history of the Dimona reactor, officially called the Shimon Peres Negev Nuclear Research Center and considered the backbone of Israel’s undeclared nuclear weapons program.

The report explains the strategic importance of the facility and how it has long been associated with the production and processing of nuclear material used in Israel’s estimated arsenal of more than 80 nuclear warheads.

Drone strikes on Amazon data centers expose cloud’s new wartime vulnerability

Report examining how an attack on the commercial cloud infrastructure through drone strikes damaged Amazon Web Services facilities in the Gulf, triggering concern over the resilience of the world’s digital backbone.

The story details the attacks on two facilities in the UAE and a nearby strike in Bahrain that caused physical impacts, including structural damage, power disruption, and water damage from fire suppression. It lays out why experts say the incident is a watershed moment as data centers become essential to economic and national security, making them attractive “soft targets.”

The report explores the operational impact on digital services, the economic and strategic risks of targeting cloud infrastructure, and growing concerns as Gulf countries expand investments in AI and large-scale computing facilities, with comments from Sam Winter‑Levy of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace and Lukasz Olejnik of King’s College London.

Spain’s transatlantic break: Madrid’s defiance of Washington reshapes alliance politics

Report examining why Spain has emerged as the most visible European dissenter from US foreign policy, refusing to support Washington’s military actions against Iran and challenging broader American strategic priorities.

The report explores how Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez’s government blocked the use of its bases for US strikes against Iran, citing international law and the lack of a UN mandate. Beyond the immediate crisis, the story traces a longer ideological divide between Madrid and Washington.

The report includes expert analysis from Juan Luis Manfredi Sanchez of the University of Castilla-La Mancha, who examines the domestic political calculations behind Spain’s stance and the potential consequences for European unity, NATO dynamics, and Spain’s ties with the US.

Diego Garcia: Why the US-UK base matters in the Iran war

Report examining the strategic role of the remote Diego Garcia military base as the conflict involving the US, Israel, and Iran escalates, highlighting why the Chagos Island facility is a critical hub for US military operations in the Middle East.

The story explains how the joint US-UK base on the island has supported major American wars for decades and why its location allows Washington to project air and naval power across the Middle East and Indo-Pacific. It also explores heightened tensions between Washington and London after Britain initially limited US access to the base during early strikes on Iran.

The report includes analysis from Isaac Kardon, senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, and Nitya Labh of Chatham House, who discuss the base’s strategic importance and uncertainties surrounding its future following a UK deal to transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius while maintaining a long-term military lease.