Diary

ISTANBUL (AA) - Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Tuesday, May 20, 2025 (coverage may change depending on developing/breaking stories):

Indirect talks on Gaza ceasefire in Doha

The stalled Gaza ceasefire and prisoner exchange indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas in Doha as Israel maintains hardline positions and refuses to make progress including demands for Hamas to disarm and relinquish control of Gaza -- terms that the Palestinian group Hamas refuses.

More updates and statements expected from Israel, Qatari officials, and US and Egyptian mediators, along with Hamas’ announcements regarding the talks.

Israeli army expanded ground offensive in Gaza amid deepening humanitarian situation

The expanded Israeli military ground operation in several areas across the Gaza Strip came after the army ordered Palestinians in the towns of Abasan and Bani Suhaila, east of Khan Younis, to evacuate immediately ahead of an unprecedented assault on the area.

The displacement, with thousands fleeing Abasan and Bani Suhaila under fire, many to overcrowded al-Mawasi, along with the humanitarian toll and the Israeli strikes on schools, homes, and medical facilities.

The humanitarian fallout, including shortages of food, water, and medical supplies, as well as increasing rates of famine and malnutrition as Israel keeps sealing the border, denying aid deliveries for over two months.

Escalation of Sudan’s conflict between army and paramilitary RSF

The continued clashes between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) around El-Fasher, south of Omdurman west of the capital, and in West Kordofan in the south of the country amid the worsening humanitarian situation.

Civilian toll, including deaths, injuries, and displacement, and famine risks in El- Fasher, where 1.6 million face starvation, with aid efforts and statements by international organizations.

Sultan of Oman pays state visit to Spain

Omani Sultan Haitham bin Tarik’s three-day state visit to Spain between May 20-22. This visit, at the invitation of King Felipe VI, aims to deepen the bilateral relations and explore expanded cooperation across various sectors, according to a royal court statement.

Expected remarks from the Omani sultan during the official welcome ceremony in Spain. Joint statements issued post-meetings and the signing of memorandums of understanding.

Qatar Economic Forum in Doha

The first day of the May 20-22 Qatar Economic Forum, a three-day gathering, under the theme The Road to 2030: Transforming the Global Economy, brings together leaders from government, business, and civil society in the capital Doha to discuss global economic issues.

Opening remarks and keynote addresses from high-profile figures and statements from international speakers.

Turkic leaders' informal summit in Hungary

Leaders from the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) gather for May 20-21 informal summit in the Hungarian capital Budapest. Members are Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Türkiye, and Uzbekistan, while Hungary and Turkmenistan are observer states.

This will mark the first time that an OTS summit is being held in an observer state.

EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting

Foreign and defense ministers from the European Union meet in Brussels.

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas chairs the meeting. Agenda includes discussion on EU military support for Ukraine following exchange of views with Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov (via videoconference) and NATO chief Mark Rutte, and a discussion on the implementation of the White Paper for European Defense and the ReArm Europe Plan. In the afternoon, ministers discuss Russia-Ukraine war after informal exchange of views with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha (via videoconference), and the situation in the Middle East. Ministers are also due to adopt the 17th sanctions package against Russia amid its armed conflict with Ukraine.

UN agencies to hold bi-weekly briefing in Geneva

The UN service reveals its agenda shortly before the briefing.

ILO to release report on AI and jobs

The International Labor Organization is expected to release its report titled Generative AI and Jobs: A Refined Global Index of Occupational Exposure.

Report on far-right crimes in Germany

Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt will present the annual police report on politically motivated crimes in Germany, including crimes committed by right-wing extremists.

Dobrindt's assessment of the far-right threat and analysis of current figures compared to previous years.

Top French diplomat to meet Greenland's foreign minister

France's Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot will meet with Greenland's Foreign Minister Vivian Motzfeldt, according to the French Foreign Ministry.

Russian foreign minister to pay 2-day visit to Armenia

Sergey Lavrov is scheduled to have talks with Armenian top officials, including Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, and President Vahagn Khachaturyan.

The parties are expected to discuss controversies arising from Armenia’s intention to join the EU, which contradicts its membership in the Eurasian Economic Union. They will also discuss the state of affairs around the Armenian-Azerbaijani settlement. Developments concerning Lavrov’s visit via live broadcast, official statements, and media reports.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman to hold weekly press briefing

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova to hold a press briefing in Moscow on current issues of foreign policy. She will also hold a Q&A session.

Trump to attend House GOP meeting at Capitol

US President Donald Trump to attend a meeting of the House of Representatives Republican Conference as he seeks to rally support for his mega bill to cut spending and taxes. Trump is expected to deliver remarks at the meeting.

US secretary of state to appear before Senate committee

Secretary of State Marco Rubio to appear before the Senate Foreign Relations and Appropriations Committees to discuss the proposed State Department’s 2026 for the 2026 fiscal year. He is likely to face intense questioning on US foreign policy and his effort to reorganize and downsize the State Department.

US Homeland Security secretary to appear before Senate committee

Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem to appear before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee to discuss her department's proposed budget request for fiscal year 2026.

Türkiye-US working group on Syria

A meeting of the Türkiye-US working group on Syria will be held in Washington, DC.

The meeting, which will be held in an inter-institutional format and co-chaired by Turkish Deputy Foreign Minister Nuh Yilmaz and US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau, is expected to focus on the two countries' Syria policies and discuss opportunities for cooperation in establishing security and stability in Syria.

Senior US official to hold news conference on US commercial diplomacy with Africa

Ambassador Troy Fitrell, senior bureau official for the US State Department’s Bureau of African Affairs, will review his West Africa trip in an online news conference. Fitrell is expected to present the State Department’s new commercial diplomacy strategy for Sub-Saharan Africa, followed by a Q&A with journalists.

Ceasefire continues between Pakistan, India

Following developments as India and Pakistan continue to uphold the ceasefire. Dozens of people have been killed on the two sides of divided Kashmir, including soldiers of the rival militaries in the latest military escalation.

South Korea, US hold 2nd round of tariff talks

South Korea and the US hold a second round of tariff discussions in Washington this week as the two sides are working toward forging a "package" deal by early July. The two sides plan to discuss six main topics: trade imbalances, non-tariff measures, economic security, digital trade, product origin, and commercial interests.

Pakistani foreign minister continues his trip to China

Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar continues his official trip in Beijing to discuss bilateral ties, the regional peace and stability in South Asia. The trip comes amid recent military escalation between Pakistan and India which are now observing a US-mediated ceasefire.

Australian premier meets his Singaporean counterpart

Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese meets with his Singaporean counterpart Lawrence Wong before concluding the first international visit of his second term.

India’s Supreme Court to hear Waqf law pleas

The Supreme Court of India to take up on the issue of considering interim relief on pleas challenging the validity of the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025. The controversial act applies to Waqf -- land or property donated by Muslims for religious, educational, or charitable purposes.

Top Chinese diplomat hosts Afghan counterpart in Beijing

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi hosts his Afghan counterpart Mawlavi Amir Khan Muttaqi to discuss enhancing the bilateral ties, including political, economic, and trade cooperation.

THE ECONOMY

China's interest rate decision

Chinese Central Bank will release its interest rate decision. The interest rates were left unchanged in April. Market expects a cut of 10 basis points for this meeting.

Consumer confidence in Türkiye

The Turkish Statistical Institute to share the consumer confidence index for the month of May.

Türkiye’s short-term external debt

The Turkish Central Bank will announce the short-term debt figures for March.

Islamic Development Bank Group Annual Meeting​​​​​​​

Islamic Development Group’s annual meeting continues in the capital Algeria with participation of officials, ministers, experts, and private sector representatives from dozens of countries under the main theme of Diversifying Economies, Enriching Lives.

SPECIAL REPORTS

Europe’s dilemma: Can AI ambitions align with green goals?

Report on the challenges with the EU’s conflicting ambitions to become a global leader in artificial intelligence while simultaneously pursuing its steep climate and environmental goals.

The story explores how the rapid expansion of AI technologies and data centers threatens to undermine the EU’s climate goals, highlighting concerns about the environmental footprint, including energy consumption, e-waste, and challenges related to the use of water, power, and rare minerals.

It also addresses the potential misuse of AI to accelerate harmful practices like finding new fossil fuel deposits or intensifying unsustainable industries.

The report features interviews with Shaolei Ren, an associate professor at the University of California, Riverside, and Andrew Winston, founder of Winston Eco-Strategies.

INTERVIEW - Türkiye key in Europe’s evolving security, energy, and defense landscape, says expert

Interview with Timothy Ash, a political economist and fellow at the think tank Chatham House, on Türkiye’s rising strategic importance for Europe’s evolving defense and security architecture.

Ash explains why he believes Türkiye is poised to become an essential partner for Europe as it grapples with the new US administration’s NATO policies and the threat of Russia. He highlights Türkiye’s large military, burgeoning defense industry, and robust manufacturing capacity as crucial assets for European rearmament and defense production.

The interview also explores Türkiye’s role in energy diversification, defense partnerships like Baykar-Leonardo, and its geopolitical leverage in Syria, Iran, and the Eastern Mediterranean.

Ash calls for deeper EU-Türkiye cooperation, including updating the customs union, and says Türkiye’s economic integration and military scale make it indispensable to European strategic stability.

NEW MEDIA

VIDEO - Report on the challenges facing Europe as it aims to become a leader in AI while pursuing steep climate and environmental goals, with insights from tech and sustainability experts Shaolei Ren and Andrew Winston.

VIDEO - Interview with political economist and Chatham House fellow Timothy Ash on Türkiye’s increasing strategic importance for Europe’s evolving defense, energy, and security architecture.