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.

Turkey opens three mosques in Gaza as Ankara expands religious influence

Turkey’s Diyanet Foundation opened three mosques in Gaza ahead of Ramadan, part of Ankara’s broader effort to expand religious and political influence in the enclave.

FEBRUARY 15, 2026|BySETH J. FRANTZMAN

Turkish charities operating in the southern Gaza Strip, October 23, 2025

Nechirvan Barzani, President of Iraq's autonomous Kurdistan Region, gives a joint press conference with France's Foreign Minister in Arbil, the regional capital, on February 5, 2026.

Iraq's Kurds emerge as Middle East's key diplomatic players at Munich Security Council - analysis

The KRG has helped smooth the transition in eastern Syria by working with Damascus and the Syrian Democratic Forces, also hosting US forces and other anti-ISIS coalition forces.

FEBRUARY 15, 2026|BySETH J. FRANTZMAN

Which are the best hair transplant clinics in Turkey?

FEBRUARY 12, 2026|ByISAAC KAPLAN

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.

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

Turkey's foreign minister says Israel still seeking opportunity to attack Iran

"I hope they find a different path, but the reality is that Israel, in particular, is looking for an opportunity to strike Iran," Fidan said in a televised interview on Friday.

JANUARY 23, 2026ByREUTERS, AMICHAI STEIN

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan attends an interview with Reuters, in Brussels, Belgium April 4, 2025.

Including Turkey, Qatar in Gaza’s Board of Peace undermines Hamas demilitarization - opinion

For Ankara and Doha, Gaza is not a humanitarian responsibility – it is a strategic asset.

JANUARY 23, 2026ByYARON BUSKILA

US President Donald Trump speaks, during a charter announcement for his Board of Peace initiative, in Davos, Switzerland, January 22, 2026

Trump's board of folly: Why putting Turkey, Qatar in charge of Gaza is a farce - opinion

To place Ankara and Doha – two of the most vocal enablers of Hamas – in charge of shepherding Gaza toward peace is akin to appointing the tobacco lobby to run the World Health Organization.

JANUARY 23, 2026ByMICHAEL FREUND

US President Donald Trump and Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim ibn Hamad Al Thani attend a world leaders’ summit on ending the Gaza war, in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, late last year.

Can Israel trust Trump's Gaza board on border security?

Can Trump keep his promises? Has Britain abandoned their Jewish community? Watch the weekly news roundup with Jacob Laznik and expert guests.

JANUARY 22, 2026ByJERUSALEM POST PODCASTS

The weekly news roundup with Jacob Laznik, host of The Deep Dive.

Turkey opposes foreign intervention in Iran, Erdogan tells Iran's Pezeshkian

In a statement, the Turkish presidency said the leader had discussed the latest developments in Iran, after the worst domestic unrest since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

JANUARY 22, 2026ByREUTERS, DANIELLE GREYMAN-KENNARD

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan reacts during a press conference at a NATO summit in The Hague, Netherlands June 25, 2025.

Why Israel says joining Trump’s Board of Peace was not optional - analysis

Israeli officials say staying out of Trump’s Board of Peace was never an option, citing influence over decisions, frustration with the UN, and concerns over Gaza and Hamas.

JANUARY 21, 2026ByAMICHAI STEIN

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at a 40 signatures debate, at the plenum hall of the Knesset, the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem, on January 19, 2026.

Turkey deploys advanced radar at Damascus airport, raising Israeli concerns

Turkey deployed an advanced radar system at Damascus International Airport, a move Western sources warn could restrict Israel’s freedom of action in Syrian airspace and heighten regional tensions.

JANUARY 21, 2026ByAMICHAI STEIN

HTRS-100 air traffic control radar system, produced by the Turkish defense company ASELSAN.

Israel's imports of Azerbaijani oil via Turkey jump despite Ankara's trade ban

The figures are the latest example of Israel continuing trade with businesses in countries where governments condemn its reported actions in Gaza.

JANUARY 21, 2026ByREUTERS

Flag of Azerbaijan

Turkey is Trump’s Eisenhower moment: Will he set a precedent in Syria? - opinion

Trump now has the opportunity to set a different precedent – one that distinguishes accommodation from endorsement, and allies who constrain instability from strongmen who monetize it.

JANUARY 21, 2026ByARIEL HARKHAM

Syria's Ahmed al-Sharaa and Turkey's President Tayyip Erdogan arrive for a joint press conference at the Presidential Palace in Ankara, Turkey, February 4, 2025

'October 7 moment for Kurds': Israel must assist Syria's Kurds amid attacks, analysts tell 'Post'

Over the last decade, the SDF worked with the US and defeated ISIS in Syria. However, now the SDF is facing major setbacks, and Kurds fear they may be massacred.

JANUARY 21, 2026BySETH J. FRANTZMAN

A Kurdish internal security forces member stands guard with a weapon as Syrian Kurds attend a protest in solidarity with the people in the neighborhoods of Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh in Aleppo, in Hasakah, Syria January 7, 2026.