Diary

ISTANBUL (AA) - Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Tuesday, July 22, 2025 (coverage may change depending on developing/breaking stories):

Striking famine in Gaza amid choking Israeli blockade

The Gaza Strip is experiencing a devastating famine as a result of Israel's ongoing blockade, with soaring levels of malnutrition leading to deaths, as well as critical food shortages and a collapsing health system pushing civilians to the brink. As hunger worsens, Israel's army continues to target Palestinians near aid distribution points, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis.

OIC emergency meeting on Gaza

The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) will hold an emergency meeting to discuss the ongoing Israeli assaults on Palestinians in Gaza and the targeting of holy sites in the occupied Palestinian territory, particularly the Ibrahimi Mosque in Al-Khalil (Hebron).

The meeting will be held in the Saudi city of Jeddah at the level of permanent representatives.

Situation in Syria’s Suwayda amid ceasefire

The security and humanitarian situation in the southern Syrian city of Suwayda after security forces evacuated over 1,500 tribe members following a government-brokered ceasefire to halt clashes between Bedouin tribes and Druze armed groups.

Trilateral meeting in Iran to discuss nuclear program

A high-level meeting of Iranian, Russian, and Chinese officials is scheduled to take place in Tehran, the Iranian capital, to discuss Iran’s nuclear program and the snapback mechanism, according to Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei. The “snapback” provision under the 2015 nuclear deal allows signatories to reimpose UN sanctions on Iran if it is found in violation of the deal.

Turkish foreign minister’s meeting with El Salvador’s top diplomat

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan will meet with his El Salvadorian counterpart, Alexandra Hill, in the capital Ankara.

Turkish president to attend IDEF 2025

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will attend the 17th International Defense Industry Fair (IDEF 2025) at Istanbul Expo Center.

Trump hosts Filipino counterpart

US President Donald Trump will host his counterpart from the Philippines, Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr., at the White House, followed by a lunch. Defense and economic cooperation are expected to be at the top of the agenda.

US vice president to attend fundraising event in Massachusetts

US Vice President JD Vance will attend a Republican National Committee fundraiser on the island of Nantucket in Massachusetts. Local and regional activist groups opposed to the current Trump administration are expected to hold protests.

UN press briefing

The United Nations will hold a press briefing.

UN agencies to hold biweekly briefing in Geneva

UN agencies will hold biweekly briefings in Geneva, Switzerland, with the agenda revealed just before the briefing begins.

UK government's expected response to report on Russian interference

The European Court of Human Rights hands down judgment in a case brought by former MPs Ben Bradshaw, Caroline Lucas, and Alyn Smith over the government's response to the Intelligence and Security Committee's report into alleged Russian interference in the UK's democratic processes. The case claims that the UK failed to fulfil its duty to investigate hostile state interference in democratic elections in breach of the law.

Reactions to worsening humanitarian situation in Gaza

Following reactions from European countries, the EU, and NGOs to the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza as a result of ongoing Israeli attacks and the blockade of the besieged enclave. On Monday, more than 20 countries, including the UK, Australia, and Canada, as well as the EU, condemned Israel's "inhumane killing" of civilians in Gaza and demanded an immediate end to the war.

Reactions to announcement of new Ukraine-Russia peace talks in Türkiye

Reactions and more details are expected after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that a new round of direct peace talks between Kyiv and Moscow will be held in Türkiye.

Zelenskyy said the meeting, proposed by National Security and Defense Council Secretary Rustem Umerov, should focus on the return of prisoners of war, the repatriation of Ukrainian children taken to Russia, and preparations for a potential leaders' summit.

Meanwhile, a source in Moscow told Russian state media that the negotiations would take place on July 24-25, though the Russian government has not issued an official statement.

Bangladesh mourns its deadliest crash in years

Bangladesh is in mourning following a deadly air crash that killed 27 people and injured over 100 others, the majority of whom were students and staff at a Dhaka college. The death toll could rise due to the high number of injuries, the majority of which are burn wounds.

EU leaders arrive in Tokyo for summit with Japanese Premier Ishiba

EU Council President Antonio Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen arrive in Tokyo to hold a summit with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba. Bilateral cooperation on security, defense, and the economy is expected to be discussed during the summit.

Japanese Premier Ishiba faces growing calls to step down

The latest development in Japan follows Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba's refusal to resign in the face of electoral defeats, undermining his coalition of the Liberal Democratic and Komeito parties. Leading a minority government after losing the majority in both chambers of parliament, Ishiba is facing mounting pressure to step down amid rising inflation and ongoing tariff negotiations with the US.

THE ECONOMY

Major tech-defense industry event IDEF 2025

Major tech event International Defense Industry Fair (IDEF) 2025 to kick off with its 17th edition in Istanbul. Hundreds of domestic and foreign companies are expected to participate in the event, showcasing their products in the defense, aviation, and aerospace fields.

SPECIAL REPORTS

Israel’s Gaza starvation and displacement tactics aim for ‘de facto reoccupation’: Experts

Report examining Israel’s strategies and objectives for Gaza, including the deliberate starvation of Palestinians and forcibly displacing millions of people to alarmingly smaller areas in the south of the Strip.

The story breaks down how Israel’s strategic plans are geared toward potentially wider goals of ethnic cleansing and complete takeover of the Gaza Strip.

The story includes interviews and analysis from Robert Geist Pinfold, a lecturer in defense studies at King’s College London, and Ihab Maharmeh, a researcher at the Arab Center for Research and Policy Studies in Doha.

‘Business as usual’: EU slammed for failure to act over Israel’s Gaza crimes

Report on the EU’s failure to take action against Israel over its ongoing genocidal war on Gaza, particularly at its Foreign Affairs Council meeting last week, where 10 response options were presented but none adopted.

The story includes an interview with Amnesty International’s EU Director Eve Geddie, who calls the outcome a “devastating moment” for the EU’s credibility, noting the bloc ignored its own findings of 38 Israeli violations of international law. She also criticizes the vague “deal” with Israel on humanitarian aid and said the EU Commission has failed to uphold treaty obligations.

The report also has comments from Nicola Perugini of the University of Edinburgh, who echoes Geddie’s and calls the EU’s inaction a sign of complicity.

FACTBOX - US carries out hundreds of strikes in Trump’s first 6 months

Report on the sharp rise in US airstrikes during President Donald Trump’s second term, with over 500 recorded strikes across five countries in just six months, nearly matching the total under the previous administration.

The story examines strikes in Yemen, Iran, Iraq, Syria, and Somalia, highlighting the human toll, MAGA backlash, and the contradiction between Trump’s “peace through strength” rhetoric and expanding military operations.

The report features data from the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data (ACLED) group and Airwars, as well as Pentagon statements on Operation Rough Rider and Operation Midnight Hammer.

NEW MEDIA

VIDEO - Interview with Eve Geddie, EU director at Amnesty International, about the bloc’s failure to take action to hold Israel accountable for its ongoing genocidal war on Gaza.