Diary

ISTANBUL (AA) – Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Monday, Aug. 11, 2025 (coverage may change depending on developing/ breaking stories):

⁠Developments related to Israel’s plan to reoccupy Gaza Strip

More international, regional reactions to the Israeli plan to fully reoccupy the Gaza Strip, a move that sparked widespread global backlash and condemnation, along with a domestic rift between the Israeli political leadership, the military establishment, and opposition figures.

Saudi Arabia likely to host Lebanon-Syria border demarcation talks

Riyadh is expected to host a security meeting on Monday, chaired by Saudi Defense Minister Khalid bin Salman and attended by Prince Yazid bin Farhan, along with Lebanese army intelligence chief Brig. Gen. Tony Kahwagi and his Syrian counterpart Hussein al-Salama, according to media reports. The talks will focus on demarcating the Lebanon-Syria border as part of efforts to restore the Arab role and reduce the influence of non-state actors.

⁠IAEA deputy director general to visit Tehran

The deputy director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Massimo Aparo, will arrive in Tehran on Monday.

The visit does not include any program to inspect an Iranian nuclear site or initiate cooperation with the agency, according to Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.

Instead, it will focus on negotiations to define a framework for renewed cooperation between Iran and the agency, following its suspension by Tehran.

Trump to announce measures against crime, homelessness in Washington, D.C.

US President Donald Trump will hold a news conference where he will announce measures in the District of Columbia to combat crime, remove homeless people, and launch an urban “Beautification” initiative. Trump has recently vowed to move the capital’s homeless population “FAR” away. He has also vowed to crack down on crime after a former DOGE (Department of Government Efficiency) staffer was injured in an attempted carjacking and may announce an increase in law enforcement in D.C.

UN Security Council to discuss maritime security

The UN Security Council is scheduled to hold an open debate on addressing emerging challenges in maritime security. Panama’s President Jose Raul Mulino is expected to chair the meeting.

EU foreign ministers’ meeting on Ukraine

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas is reportedly to hold a meeting of EU foreign ministers to discuss next steps regarding the summit between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin on Ukraine, which will take place in Alaska on Friday. Many European leaders stress that a diplomatic solution “must protect” Ukraine and Europe’s vital security interests. Earlier, Trump said as part of a peace deal, “there will be some swapping of territories” between Russia and Ukraine.

Developments surrounding meeting between Russian, US presidents in Alaska

Development in Moscow and Kyiv will be followed as Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump to hold a meeting in Alaska on the situation surrounding the Russia-Ukraine war on Aug. 15. The meeting will be the first face-to-face negotiations between sitting Russian and US presidents since June 2021, when Putin met with his then-US counterpart Joe Biden in Geneva, Switzerland. Media reports surrounding the meeting also suggest a potential visit by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to Alaska amid the talks.

Kazakh president, Armenian premier to hold phone call

Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan to hold a phone call on Aug. 11. The phone call will take place a day after Tokayev called his Azerbaijani counterpart Ilham Aliyev to congratulate him on the signing of a joint declaration following a trilateral summit at the White House involving US President Donald Trump and Pashinyan last Friday. The agreement seeks to end decades of conflict between the Southern Caucasus neighbors, with commitments to cease hostilities, reopen transport routes, and normalize relations.

Vietnamese leader meets South Korean President

Vietnamese leader To Lam holds bilateral meeting with South Korea’s President Lee Jae Myung during his 4-day official visit to South Korea. The two leaders to discuss bilateral ties in trade, investment and nuclear energy.

Bangladesh interim leader visits Malaysia

Bangladesh's interim leader Muhammad Yunus kicks off his 3-day official visit to Malaysia where he meets Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. The two sides are expected to sign five memoranda of understanding in various sectors, including defense, energy, and halal food.

Developments amid staggering US tariffs on India

Monitoring developments and statements amid 50% tariffs on Indian imports by the US, which has dealt a blow to the strategic partnership between the two.

THE ECONOMY

Türkiye's industrial production

Turkish Statistical Institute (TurkStat) to announce monthly industrial production figures for June. In May, the production rose 11.4% on a monthly basis.

SPECIAL REPORTS

Symbolism and strategy: What’s driving Europe’s Palestine recognition shift?

Report analyzing the political and public opinion forces driving a wave of European recognition of Palestinian statehood.

The story examines how the momentum for recognition is linked to outrage over Israeli atrocities in Gaza, rising humanitarian concerns, and governments’ need to respond to shifting public sentiment. Experts also explain how moves by France, the UK, and others are also a way to pressure Washington amid stalled US-led negotiations.

The report includes insights from Valerie Stiegler of the University of Paris-I and Christian Lequesne of Sciences Po Strasbourg, who also stress that Europe cannot secure a political settlement alone, as Israel is likely to heed only US intervention, and that EU divisions weaken its diplomatic impact.

Mistrust to militants: Why polio persists in Pakistan

Report examining Pakistan’s struggle to eradicate polio as cases surge again despite decades of vaccination campaigns and billions in funding.

The story highlights a sharp rise in wild polio cases from 6 in 2023 to 74 in 2024, with ongoing transmission detected in several districts. Experts cite deep-rooted mistrust, vaccine misinformation, militant attacks on health workers, and gaps in routine immunization as key obstacles, compounded by cross-border spread from Afghanistan.

The report includes comments from officials and health workers, including Muhammad Rafiq of UNICEF Pakistan, on mitigation strategies such as the three-phase National Polio Eradication Roadmap for 2025-2026.​​​​​​​