Turkey

Turkey, officially the Republic of Turkey, is located partially in the continent of Asia and partially in Europe. It shares borders with Greece and Bulgaria to the Northwest, Iran to the east and Iraq to the southeast. It also shares various borders with Syria, Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia.

70%-75% of Turkey's population are Turks, and 19% are Kurds, making them the country's largest minority group. The country's capital is Ankara, and the largest city and financial city is Istanbul.

As of November 2021, the President of Turkey is Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, who has served in this position since 2014. Prior to that, he served as Prime Minister of the country from 2003-2014.

Since the start of the Syrian civil war in 2011, an estimated 3.6 million Syrian refugees have taken up residence in Turkey, most of them living with temporary residence permits.

How US Envoy to Syria Tom Barrack plays key role in creating a new Syria, Levant region - analysis

Barack plays a key role as US ambassador to Turkey, Special Envoy to Syria, and one of the key figures in American policy in the Levant, while also keeping constant dialogues with Gulf state actors.

FEBRUARY 11, 2026|BySETH J. FRANTZMAN

US special envoy for Syria Tom Barrack attends a press conference with Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shibani and Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi, in Damascus, Syria September 16, 2025.

Members of the Iraqi security forces take part in an event marking the Iraqi Police Day in Mosul, Iraq, January 9, 2026.

Iraq-Turkey tensions grow as Baghdad summons ambassador over 'interference' accusations

Baghdad issued a formal protest after remarks on PKK activity were seen as interference. Ankara says the comments were mistranslated and focused only on militants in Iraq.

FEBRUARY 11, 2026|BySETH J. FRANTZMAN

MKs Alon Schuster and Ohad Tal, Middle East Forum’s Alex Selsky and Greg Roman, INSS senior reaserch fellow Galia Lindenstrauss, entrepreneur Yehonatan Adiri, security expert Yossi Kuperwasser, and strategic advisor Liane Polak-David host “The 3+1 Framework” security meeting on February 10, 2026.

Israeli, Greek, Cypriot, US gov't officials gather in Knesset as Turkish threat rises

The meeting, held in cooperation with the Middle East Forum, discussed several regional developments and urged greater cooperation against the Turkish threat.

FEBRUARY 11, 2026|ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan speaks during a ceremony for the handover of new vehicles to the gendarmerie and police forces in Istanbul, Turkey, November 28, 2025.

Erdogan names controversial prosecutor as new Turkish justice minister

Akin Gurlek was the chief prosecutor behind the crackdown on the Turkish opposition party. His appointment marks the first cabinet shuffle since the last election.

FEBRUARY 11, 2026|ByREUTERS

Gadi Eisenkot: Netanyahu ceded Gaza security, IDF must return to fighting

“Two years and a quarter after the start of the war, the military achievements were not translated into a diplomatic outcome,” Eisenkot said.

JANUARY 20, 2026BySHIR PERETS

MK Gadi Eisenkot attends a Defense and Foreign Affairs Committee meeting on the ultra-Orthodox draft law at the Knesset, the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem on June 24, 2024.

Iran, Turkey must forget 'dreams of empires,' Israel Katz warns at summit with Greek counterpart

Jerusalem is on high alert for a variety of imminent threat scenarios, the defense minister stressed, in a clear reference to the stand-off with Iran.

JANUARY 20, 2026ByYONAH JEREMY BOB

Defense Minister Israel Katz and his Greek counterpart Nikos Dendias inspect the honour guard, prior to their meeting in Athens Greece, January 20, 2026

Senior Hamas officials planning 'safe exit' from Gaza Strip, Saudi media outlet reports

Senior Hamas figures are reportedly weighing a coordinated departure from Gaza following the rollout of Phase II of Donald Trump’s plan, according to sources cited by Asharq al-Awsat.

JANUARY 20, 2026ByJAMES GENN

A Hamas terrorist in the Gaza Strip. February 4, 2025.

Netanyahu ushered Turkey, Qatar through Gaza's front door, ex-PM Naftali Bennett charges

“Erdogan and the despicable Qatar, the greatest haters of Israel, the most enthusiastic aides of Hamas, are being ushered in through the front door to run Gaza,” Bennett wrote on X/Twitter.

JANUARY 20, 2026BySAM HALPERN

Former Israeli prime minister Naftali Bennett attends a conference at the Academic College in Tel Aviv, January 7, 2026.

Syrian deal with SDF could lead to Turkey-PKK peace, Turkish officials say

After days of fighting, the Syrian government and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) agreed on Sunday to bring Kurdish authorities under the control of Damascus.

JANUARY 19, 2026ByREUTERS

Turkey's President Tayyip Erdogan speaks to the media at the end of the G20 Leaders' Summit in Johannesburg, South Africa, November 23, 2025

Netanyahu: There won't be Turkish or Qatari soldiers in Gaza, amid 'dispute’ with US

Netanyahu said Israel was approaching “Phase II” of the Trump plan, which is the next stage of the US-brokered ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas.

JANUARY 19, 2026ByKESHET NEEV

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gives speech at the Knesset on January 19.

‘A technocratic shift in Gaza’: National committee formed, security concerns remain

Competing views on Hamas, the role of regional mediators, and the absence of Palestinian political representation at the executive level are shaping the next phase.

JANUARY 19, 2026ByGIORGIA VALENTE/THE MEDIA LINE

Destroyed buildings as seen from an Israeli military outpost within the borders of the ‘yellow line’ in the eastern part of Gaza City in the Gaza Strip. The photo was taken as part of an IDF ‘embed’ and reviewed by the IDF before publication.

Smotrich: Thank you Trump for the help, but now Israel needs to control Gaza

Smotrich thanked Trump for his support for Israel and efforts to assist in returning hostages, but said the US president’s Gaza plan should be canceled.

JANUARY 19, 2026ByFRAIDY MOSER

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich seen after a press conference at the Finance Ministry in Jerusalem on December 4, 2025.

Qatari, Turkish presence on Trump's Gaza board could push Israel toward major reserve call-ups

If Trump's plan fails to demilitarize Gaza, Israel is likely to seek to carry out the disarmament itself, which would mean mobilizing four to five reserve divisions and resuming an offensive in Gaza.

JANUARY 19, 2026ByAVI ASHKENAZI

IDF soldiers operate in Deir el-Balah, Gaza Strip, May 8, 2025.

Erdogan, Sharaa discuss Syria as SDF confirms withdrawal following ceasefire

Turkey’s President Erdogan spoke with Syrian President Sharaa after a deal with Kurdish forces, as SDF leader Mazloum Abdi confirmed a military withdrawal, and plans to visit Damascus.

JANUARY 18, 2026ByREUTERS, JAMES GENN

Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan arrive for a joint press conference at the Presidential Palace in Ankara, Turkey, February 4, 2025.