ISTANBUL (AA) - Here are the main topics Anadolu's English Desk plans to cover on Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026 (coverage may change depending on developing/ breaking stories):
US-Iran tensions ahead of expected talks
Ongoing US military buildup in the region and growing prospects of war with Iran, following the arrival of US military refueling aircraft at Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv amid anticipated talks in Geneva on Thursday.
Chad closes border with Sudan over cross-border violations
Developments after Chad closes border with Sudan until further notice, citing repeated cross-border incursions and violations linked to the ongoing civil war.
Türkiye's defense industry
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to attend commissioning ceremony of SANCAR, the Armed Unmanned Surface Vehicle (AUSV) developed by Turkish defense firm Havelsan.
SANCAR AUSV was designed to perform comprehensive missions such as port/base protection, search/rescue, intelligence, reconnaissance, surveillance, patrol, surface warfare, and mine countermeasures. It can be easily integrated wirh other naval platforms in accordance with NATO Standards as it can be controlled from a mobile ground control station with ADVENT C4ISR mission system.
Later, Erdogan will attend an iftar dinner – a special fast-breaking meal for the Muslim holy month of Ramadan – with police, gendarmerie, and coast guard personnel.
German chancellor visits China
Chancellor Friedrich Merz departs for China on a three-day visit to discuss political and economic ties and global security issues. A business delegation will accompany him.
Coalition of the Willing call
Leaders from the 'Coalition of the Willing' on military support to Ukraine hold a virtual meeting, chaired again by UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron, to mark the fourth anniversary of Russia-Ukraine war.
EU affairs ministers gather in Brussels
Ministers responsible for European Union affairs to meet in Brussels to start preparations for the March European Council by discussing an annotated draft agenda.
Trump to deliver State of the Union address at Congress
US President Donald Trump to deliver the first annual State of the Union address of his second term before a joint session of Congress. His remarks are expected to highlight his administration’s accomplishments over the past year, the economy and his immigration crackdown, as well as foreign policy priorities.
UN Security Council to hold high-level Ukraine discussion
The UN Security Council will hold a high-level briefing on Ukraine on the anniversary of the full-scale war with Russia that began in 2022. Stephen Doughty, Britain’s Minister of State for Europe, North America and Overseas Territories, is expected to chair. UN Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs Rosemary DiCarlo will brief. Ukraine and several regional countries are expected to participate under rule 37 of the Council’s provisional rules of procedure. Ukraine is expected to be represented by its Deputy Foreign Minister Mariana Betsa.
Procedural vote at US Senate on DHS funding
A Senate vote to move forward on a House-passed Department of Homeland Security funding bill is scheduled to take place. The department was shut down since funding expired on Feb. 13.
Ongoing violence in Mexico after drug boss’ death in military operation
Following developments after the Mexican military on Sunday killed Nemesio “El Mencho” Oseguera Cervantes, the ringleader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG). President Claudia Sheinbaum said calm is being restored in the country, though cartel violence that erupted after the operation continued into Monday.
Russia-Ukraine war marks 4th year
The Russia-Ukraine war marks its fourth year amid US-led peace efforts to find a settlement to the conflict which began on Feb. 24, 2022. Statements regarding the anniversary are expected from both Russian and Ukrainian officials as well as European officials, while events may take place in Ukraine with the involvement of foreign officials, including European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who is expected to visit Kyiv.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte to also deliver remarks at a ceremony marking the anniversary.
Developments after EU fails to reach agreement on new sanctions package against Russia
Reactions from both Ukraine and Russia after EU foreign police chief said that bloc failed to reach an agreement on 20th sanctions package against Moscow, calling the outcome a ‘setback’ but vowing that work would continue.
Kaja Kallas said that outreach is ongoing with Hungary and Slovakia, who oppose the package, signaling that bloc could turn to using Russian frozen assets if needed.
Israeli president to visit Ethiopia
Israeli President Isaac Herzog to make an official visit to Ethiopia, where he will hold talks with his Ethiopian counterpart Taye Atske Selassie and Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, and meet leaders of the country’s Jewish community.
Qatari emir hosts Pakistani premier
Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani hosts Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Doha to discuss bilateral relations, including political engagement, economic collaboration, energy partnership. Sharif is on a 2-day official trip to Qatar.
THE ECONOMY
US house prices
The US will release house prices index for December 2025. The year-on-year increase was at 1.9% in November.
SPECIAL REPORTS
4 years of war: How much will it cost to rebuild Ukraine?
Report examining estimates of the financial cost of rebuilding Ukraine after four years of war, as renewed peace talks revive discussions on post-war recovery.
The story outlines assessments by the World Bank, the UN, the European Commission and the Ukrainian government, including projections that Ukraine’s reconstruction and recovery needs exceed $524 billion over the next decade, with housing, energy, transport and industry among the hardest-hit sectors.
It also explores emerging Western recovery frameworks, including a US-EU “prosperity plan” seeking to mobilize up to $800 billion in public and private funding, and the political and economic assumptions underpinning these proposals, such as security guarantees and EU accession pathways.
4 years of Ukraine war: What has it cost Russia?
Report on the economic, financial and military costs Russia has incurred four years into the Ukraine war, despite avoiding large-scale physical devastation on its own territory.
The story examines the cumulative economic impact, including lost GDP, frozen sovereign reserves, foregone energy revenues and higher operating costs under Western sanctions. It also details the financial burden of replacing destroyed military equipment and long-term modernization needs, alongside indirect domestic infrastructure costs and fiscal pressures.
The report outlines key estimates from international financial institutions, think tanks and independent analysts, explaining why some losses are measurable while others will unfold gradually through slower growth, reduced investment and constrained access to global capital markets.
Why Israel is pushing US toward a confrontation with Iran
Report on Israel’s role in escalating tensions between the US and Iran, examining why Tel Aviv is pushing Washington toward a military confrontation with Tehran.
The story assesses analysts’ views that Israel is relying on US military power to confront Iran due to depleted missile-defense stocks and limited readiness for a large-scale operation.
It features analysis from Robert Geist Pinfold of King’s College London and Israeli analyst Ahron Bregman on the likelihood of escalation, Israel’s potential military role alongside the US, Iran’s expected retaliation, Israel’s defensive vulnerabilities, and the broader regional and civilian risks of a prolonged conflict.