Diary

ISTANBUL

Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Thursday, March 12, 2026 (coverage may change depending on developing/ breaking stories):

Regional escalation amid US-Israel confrontation with Iran

Developments on day 13 of US-Israeli war on Iran, including Tehran’s response and the repercussions for numerous Arab countries, as well as Israeli and US bases in the region.
Material and human losses from the war, including casualties and damage in Arab countries, alongside losses on the Israeli and Iranian sides, to be followed.

⁠⁠Israeli escalation in Lebanon amid evacuations, clashes with Hezbollah

Developments in Israeli army escalation in Lebanon, along with the field and humanitarian consequences of evacuation warnings issued to wide areas in southern Lebanon and neighborhoods in Beirut’s southern suburbs, and resulting displacement of residents.

President Donald Trump to take part in pair of meetings on unspecified US policy matters amid his war with Iran. US president will then host Women's History Month celebration at White House alongside first lady Melania Trump. The desk will monitor for any newsworthy comments concerning Iran and foreign affairs.

UN Security Council to hold open briefing on work of the 1737 Sanctions Committee concerning Iran. Meeting comes as the US-Israeli war on Iran continues to escalate, with spillover rippling throughout the Middle East.

Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand to brief reporters on new funding initiative to address situation in the Middle East. Desk to monitor for key remarks, particularly those relating to ongoing US-Israeli war on Iran.

German chancellor to visit federal police headquarters

Chancellor Friedrich Merz to address 75th anniversary ceremony of Germany's Federal Criminal Police Office in Wiesbaden. He is expected to speak on evolving international security challenges and strategies to counter unconventional and hybrid threats.

UN rapporteur to hold counter-terrorism briefing

Ben Saul, UN special rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism, to hold press briefing on counter-terrorism abuses challenging the international order.

Monitoring reactions of US-Israeli attacks on Iran, Tehran’s retaliatory attacks

Following European reactions and statements on developments across Middle East as US and Israel continues attacks on Iran and Iran retaliates on Gulf states with US assets, including disruptions to world trade and energy supplies.

Foreign Ministry spokeswoman to hold weekly press briefing

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova to give news briefing in Moscow on turbulent global situation. Eurasia Desk will take part in the briefing via video link and plans to ask her the following questions: 1. How does Russia assess the humanitarian situation in Iran? Has Moscow sent humanitarian aid? What is the situation with refugees -- has Russia accepted citizens from this country, and if so, how many?

Eurasian reactions to developments amid Middle East tensions

Reactions from Eurasian capitals to growing hostilities in the Mideast to be closely followed. These hostilities have also affected some Eurasian nations, particularly Azerbaijan. Eurasia desk will follow developments via official statements and media reports.

Rosatom chief to meet IAEA head

Rosatom chief Alexey Likhachev to meet Rafael Grossi, head of the International Atomic Energy Agency. According to Likhachev, their meeting will mostly focus on the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant and issues related to Iran. Eurasia desk will follow developments via official statements and media reports.

China-North Korea railway opens for 1st time in 6 years

Rail transport between China and North Korea to resume passenger services for the first time in 6 years. Services were initially halted due to COVID-19 pandemic.

Bangladesh’s new parliament holds opening session

Bangladesh's new parliament holds opening session, 1st since 2024 July uprising which ousted government. Bangladesh Nationalist Party holds two-thirds majority in the new 350-seat parliament with Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami-led bloc as main opposition.

Middle East conflict hits oil tankers from Asia

Monitoring developments and statements as ongoing conflict between the US, Israel, and Iran has hit oil carrying tankers from Asian nations. Thousands of people are also returning to their homes in Asia from the Gulf region and adjacent nations.

Officials from Southern African bloc to meet in South Africa

Officials to gather in South Africa for ordinary meeting of Southern African Development Community (SADC) Council of Ministers to review regional projects, assess the implementation of previous decisions, and discuss priorities for integration and development ahead of 45th SADC Summit.

Turkish president to receive UN chief

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to receive UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres at Presidential Complex in Ankara. Later he will attend presentation of Ataturk International Peace Award to Guterres at Bestepe National Exhibition Hall.

Turkish, German top diplomats to meet

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan to meet with his German counterpart Johann Wadephul in Ankara.

THE ECONOMY

Turkish interest rate

Turkish Central Bank to announce interest rate decision. At previous meeting, the bank kept the one-week repo auction rate unchanged at 45%.

Turkish current account

Central Bank to release balance of payments data for January. In December, the current account posted a deficit of $2.1B, lower than market expectations.

US foreign trade

US to post monthly foreign trade statistics for January. In December, the US posted a trade deficit of $70.3 billion as imports slightly outpaced exports.

SPECIAL REPORTS

Iran war: Hormuz crisis raises fears for global agriculture and food security

Report examining how shipping disruptions in Strait of Hormuz, triggered by US-Israel war with Iran, could ripple through global agriculture and food supply chains.

Story explores how slowdown of energy shipments and rising oil and gas prices could tighten fertilizer markets by driving up costs and constraining supply, placing additional pressure on agricultural production worldwide. It also assesses which commodities and regions are most vulnerable to the knock-on effects of energy market instability.

Report also provides expert analysis on potential long-term implications for global food security, featuring insights from Kenneth Medlock of the Baker Institute, Joseph Glauber of the International Food Policy Research Institute, and Richard Volpe of California Polytechnic State University.

Kharg Island: Oil hub at the heart of Iran’s export lifeline

Report examining the strategic importance of Kharg Island, the hub of Iran’s oil industry that handles roughly 90% of the country’s crude exports.

Story explores the island’s central role in Iran’s economy and global oil markets as the US-Israeli war with Tehran continues. It assesses why the key export terminal has so far remained largely untouched during the bombing campaign despite its importance to Tehran’s energy revenues.

Report also analyzes reports that the US and Israel have considered plans to seize or neutralize the island, featuring expert commentary from Neil Quilliam of Chatham House and Yesar al-Maleki of the Middle East Economic Survey on the strategic and economic implications.

Ramadan under the midnight sun: Faith and fasting in Russia’s Arctic

Report exploring how Muslims in Russia’s far north observe holy month of Ramadan under extreme Arctic daylight conditions where the sun may not set for weeks.

Story explains how communities in regions such as the Nenets Autonomous Okrug and the northern city of Arkhangelsk adapt religious practices to the polar cycle of endless summer daylight and long winter nights. It also highlights how people sometimes fast for up to 20-23 hours during the season of white nights, while religious authorities provide guidance to protect health and adjust prayer schedules.

Report also explores social and cultural life of these northern Muslim communities, from communal iftars featuring local foods to improvised prayer spaces and Arctic mosques, with comments from citizens and local religious leaders.