ANKARA (AA) - Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Thursday, July 17, 2025 (coverage may change depending on developing/ breaking stories):
Israeli military escalation in Syria
Escalating Israeli airstrikes in Syria following intensified attacks on capital Damascus and southern part of the country after Chief of General Staff Eyal Zamir ordered the transfer of forces from the Gaza Strip to Syria’s occupied Golan Heights and Israel Katz, the defense minister, vowed to intensify the attacks, in addition to regional and international reactions.
Also following ceasefire reached between Syrian government and Druze militants in Suwayda following days of deadly clashes.
Political uncertainty in Israel
Updates after Cabinet ministers from Israel’s religious Shas party decided to quit Benjamin Netanyahu's government, without withdrawing from ruling coalition, over the government’s failure to advance bill to exempt ultra-Orthodox Jews from military service.
If Shas, which holds 11 Knesset members, withdraws from the ruling coalition, the coalition would lose its majority in the Knesset, or no less than 61 members out of 120.
Israel’s defense minister visit to the US
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz to start open-end official visit to the US to discuss series of security and political issues, including Iran and Gaza along with strategic cooperation, according to Israeli media.
He is set to meet with US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and other officials.
US defense chief to host Bahraini crown prince
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to meet with Bahraini Prime Minister Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa at the Pentagon. Meeting comes a day after Al Khalifa held talks with President Donald Trump.
Informal meeting on Cyprus at UN headquarters
Day two of informal talks on the divided island of Cyprus to be held at UN headquarters in New York, including bilateral meetings with the parties by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, followed by family photo and a plenary meeting.
Emergency UN Security Council session on Syria
UN Security Council to hold an emergency session following Israeli airstrikes on Suwayda region and Damascus in Syria.
German Chancellor Merz visits London
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz to pay official visit to London to meet with Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Their discussions will focus on bilateral relations and international security issues. During the visit, the two nations will sign a friendship treaty designed to strengthen cooperation on foreign and security policy.
European reactions to Israeli attacks on Syria
Reactions by European states and EU institutions to intensified Israeli attacks on Syria, including southern part of the country and capital Damascus, to be followed closely.
Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman to hold weekly press briefing
Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova to hold press briefing in Moscow.
Togo to hold municipal elections amid political unrest
Voters in Togo to go to the polls for municipal elections. Voters will elect 1,527 municipal councilors in 117 municipalities. Election comes amid political tensions and regular demonstrations against government in the capital Lome. Some civil society groups have called for a boycott.
France to return its last 2 military bases to Senegalese army
France to hand over to Senegal the two last military bases used by its army, as part of a broader withdrawal of French troops from the country. A ceremony will mark the end of the French military presence in Senegal. French presence has been the target of growing unrest in the region, which led to shrinking military presence in those countries, including Ivory Coast, Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso.
Monitoring developments amid curfew in southern Bangladesh after 4 killed
Monitoring situation in Bangladesh after clashes between two groups left at least four people dead, prompting authorities to impose curfew in southern Gopalganj district. Tensions are running high as the South Asian nation commemorated national day of mourning to mark first anniversary of uprising that led to fall of government led by former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who fled to India last August.
China’s Foreign Ministry news conference
China’s Foreign Ministry to hold regular news conference in Beijing. Ministry is expected to react to Israeli strikes on Syria.
Japan government news conference
Japanese government spokesperson to hold regular news briefing. Spokesperson is likely to address issues related to ongoing trade negotiations with the US and upcoming elections amid claims of foreign interference.
Türkiye's diplomatic engagement
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan to continues his contacts in New York, where he is to attend an informal meeting on Cyprus.
Turkish president to chair Cabinet meeting
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to chair Cabinet meeting at Presidential Complex in Ankara.
THE ECONOMY
Türkiye's short-term foreign debt
Turkish Central Bank to release short-term foreign debt figures for May. In April, the debt fell 2.6% on a monthly basis to $168.4 billion.
UK unemployment
UK Office for National Statistics to release unemployment rate for May. In April, the rate rose to 4.6%, highest since July 2021. Markets expect no change in the figure.
Eurozone inflation
Eurostat to announce final consumer price index (CPI) figures for June. Preliminary estimates showed that inflation rose to 2% from 1.9% in May.
US retail sales
US to share monthly retail sales figures for June. In May, sales fell 0.9% on a monthly basis. Markets expect a 0.2% rise in the figure.
US initial jobless claims
US to release initial jobless claims figures for last week. In previous week, claims were down 5,000 to 227,000. Markets expect them to rise to 234,000.
SPECIAL REPORTS
Inside Gaza: Rising attacks on Israeli forces raise questions
Report analyzing escalating Palestinian attacks on Israeli forces inside Gaza and implications for Israel’s military strategy and ceasefire prospects.
Story presents overview of killings since late June of several Israeli soldiers, and explores how Hamas and allied factions are deploying guerrilla tactics, exploiting tunnel networks and Israeli weaknesses, and recycling unexploded ordnance for ambushes.
Report also discusses growing psychological strain among Israeli troops, with reports of suicide and battlefield fatigue, while analysts Sadeq Abu Amer, Ahmad al-Hila, and Andreas Krieg comment on possible repercussions.
INTERVIEW - ‘Failure to act on Gaza genocide’: Lawyers take EU Commission, Council to court
Interview with Patrick Zahnd, head of the Association of Jurists for the Respect of International Law (JURDI), on case against European Commission and EU Council that his group is filing this week.
He explains decision to challenge failure to act to EU Court of Justice in Luxembourg, a case that targets top EU bodies for not acting to halt Israel’s potential war crimes in its ongoing genocidal war on Gaza.
Zahnd also speaks about why the group believes that the European Commission and EU Council’s failure to act, despite having the authority, amounts to a legal breach of EU treaties.
FACTBOX - Au revoir, Africa: Decline of France’s military presence
Report on France’s handover of its last two bases in Senegal, marking the end of its military presence in the country.
Story presents a chronological overview of the broader withdrawal of French troops from Africa in recent years, including similar exits from countries including Ivory Coast, Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso.
Report also explains various factors driving surge in anti-French sentiment on the continent, including colonial atrocities and continuing exploitation that have spurred demands for national sovereignty.