Diary

ISTANBUL

Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Monday, Dec. 29, 2025 (coverage may change depending on developing/ breaking stories):

Ongoing bad weather conditions in Gaza amid Israeli ceasefire violations

The effects of the weather system in Gaza amid ongoing Israeli violations of the ceasefire added to the worsening conditions for displaced Palestinians, raising fears of deeper humanitarian suffering as damaged infrastructure and a severe shortage of shelter leave families exposed.

Situation is Sudan

The field and humanitarian situation in Sudan amid the ongoing conflict between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), especially in Darfur and Kordofan, marred by humanitarian crises and mass displacements.

Elected Iraqi parliament's 1st session

Newly elected members of the 329-seat Council of Representatives gather for the inaugural session of the sixth parliamentary term as mandated by a presidential decree. Lawmakers are expected to vote on electing the speaker of the Parliament and deputies.

Reactions to Israel’s recognition of Somaliland

Monitoring international responses throughout the week after Israel formally recognized Somaliland as an independent state.

European reactions to Trump–Zelenskyy meeting in Florida

Following reactions from European states and the EU to a meeting between US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

After the meeting on Sunday, Trump said that significant progress was made toward ending the Russia-Ukraine. Trump said: "We want to work with Europe, and Europe is going to take over a big part of it," adding the US will be helping Europe.

Trump to host Israeli Premier Netanyahu in Florida

US President Donald Trump will host Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at his Mar-a-Lago residence in Palm Beach, Florida. They are expected to discuss progress in the 20-point ceasefire in Gaza, as well as mounting tensions with Iran. This will be Netanyahu’s fifth visit to the US this year.

UN Security Council to hold urgent session on Israel’s recognition of Somaliland

The UN Security Council will hold an emergency session to discuss Israel’s recognition of Somalia’s breakaway region of Somaliland. The urgent session was requested by Somalia, one of the numerous countries that condemned Tel Aviv’s decision. Somalia will assume the rotating presidency of the council in January.

The council is also expected to vote on a US-authored draft resolution extending the mandate of the Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate (CTED) until Jan. 5, 2029. CTED’s current mandate expires on Wednesday.

Developments in Moscow and Kyiv following Trump-Zelenskyy talks in US

Developments in Moscow and Kyiv will be followed after US President Donald Trump hosted his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Florida on Sunday.

Thai-Cambodia ceasefire prevails

Calm prevails along Cambodia-Thailand border following a ceasefire agreement reached by 2 sides. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi is hosting top diplomats of Thailand and Cambodia.

Bangladesh-India developments

Monitoring developments after Indian police arrested 2 people for assisting the alleged shooter of a Bangladeshi political activist Sharif Osman Bin Hadi. Dhaka has said the shooter fled to India. The ties between the neighbors have deteriorated since the fall of fugitive former Premier Sheikh Hasina’s regime last year, when she fled to India.

Post-election developments in Guinea, Central African Republic

Developments in Guinea and the Central African Republic to be monitored following the Dec. 28 elections. Guineans voted in the country's first presidential election since the 2021 coup led by interim President Gen. Mamadi Doumbouya, while Central Africans cast ballots for president, lawmakers, and local officials.

THE ECONOMY

Turkish banking sector's profits

Turkish banking sector's watchdog to release balance sheet for the banking sector for November.

SPECIAL REPORTS

YEAR-ENDER – Global arms race accelerates amid highest militarization in decades

Report on the sharp rise in global military spending since 2000, as wars, great-power rivalry and rapid advances in military technology drive an arms buildup unseen since the Cold War.

The story examines the continued defense spending by major and regional powers, the spread of advanced weapons systems, and the expanding role of drones, AI and nuclear modernization in shaping modern warfare.

It includes interviews with Izumi Nakamitsu, the UN’s high representative for disarmament affairs, and Tomas Nagy of GLOBSEC, who warn that global military spending could reach $6.6 trillion by 2035 amid eroding arms control and rising geopolitical tensions.

YEAR-ENDER – Unresolved wars, emerging flashpoints and fragile ceasefires: What to expect in 2026

Story on the global conflict outlook for 2026, as analysts warn of heightened geopolitical tensions, unresolved wars and new flashpoints across multiple regions, from Ukraine and Sudan to Gaza, Taiwan and Venezuela.

The report examines why several major conflicts are likely to persist into the coming year, highlighting fragile ceasefires, stalled diplomacy and the risk of escalation driven by great power rivalry, regional instability and overlapping global shocks.

It features interviews with Neophytos Loizides, professor of International Conflict Analysis at the University of Warwick, and Robert Geist Pinfold, lecturer in International Security at King’s College London.

Canada’s proposed hate-crime bill raises alarms over free speech, protest rights

Story on growing criticism of Canada’s proposed Bill C-9, as civil society groups warn the legislation could erode freedom of expression, peaceful protest and long-standing protections for religious speech, despite being framed by the government as a response to rising hate crimes.

The report outlines key elements of the bill, including new hate-crime and hate-symbol provisions and the removal of Attorney General consent for prosecutions, alongside concerns that existing laws already address hate propaganda.

It includes comments from Steven Zhou of the National Council of Canadian Muslims, who warns the bill’s broad provisions could criminalize peaceful protest and undermine protections for religious speech.

YEAR-ENDER – 2025: US takes charge in AI policy

Report on shifts in US artificial intelligence policy as the Trump administration moves to assert global leadership in the tech sector, rolling out a series of executive orders, federal directives and regulatory initiatives throughout 2025.

The story outlines how Washington’s accelerated push on AI governance aims to boost innovation, national security and economic competitiveness, while reshaping the balance between federal oversight, private-sector development and international cooperation.

It examines the broader implications of these policy moves for global AI standards, transatlantic coordination and emerging tech rivalries.

NEW MEDIA

VIDEO – Interview with Tomas Nagy, senior research fellow for nuclear, space and missile defense at GLOBSEC, a Bratislava-based think tank, on the drivers of rising global militarization, great power competition, expanding military spending and why the current arms buildup shows no sign of slowing.