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.

Israel’s election under fire: Navigating free speech amid information, cognitive war - opinion

As Israel heads into its first post–Oct. 7 election, incendiary rhetoric could be captured, weaponized abroad, and deepen Israel’s legitimacy crisis amid a widening cognitive war.

JANUARY 24, 2026|ByJEFFREY KAHN

An illustrative image of a person blindfolded with text on their skin.

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

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, 2026|ByREUTERS, AMICHAI STEIN

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

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, 2026|ByYARON BUSKILA

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.

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, 2026|ByMICHAEL FREUND

Trump’s new Gaza Board is a fact, Israel’s job now is to shape the decisions - analysis

Israel is not going to succeed in expelling Turkey or Qatar from the Gaza Board of Peace; the more realistic goal is to limit how much influence they are able to exert.

JANUARY 18, 2026ByHERB KEINON

US President Donald Trump and Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. participate in a roundtable on rural health, at the White House in Washington, DC, US, January 16, 2026.

World leaders show caution on Trump's broader 'Board of Peace' amid fears for UN

Trump has also invited India to be a part of the BoP, Asian News International (ANI) reported on Sunday, citing sources familiar with the details.

JANUARY 18, 2026ByREUTERS, JERUSALEM POST STAFF

The United Nations flag over the Jerusalem offices of the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) for Palestinian refugees.

Turkey and Qatar got Gaza because Israel refused to make a plan - comment

The day after in Gaza will be decided by whoever takes ownership of it with an executable policy.

JANUARY 18, 2026ByZVIKA KLEIN

IDF Armor Brigade 7 soldiers operate in Gaza on Wednesday, January 14, 2026.

Israel's cabinet members blame Jared Kushner for Turkish, Qatari presence on Gaza board

Ministers said Kushner “derailed” Israel’s 2020 sovereignty declaration and continues to pose obstacles because of close political and economic links with Arab leaders.

JANUARY 18, 2026ByYEHUDA SHLEZINGER

Jared Kushner looks on, as US Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff speaks in Hostages square, in Tel Aviv, Israel, October 11, 2025

'Muslim NATO': Turkey in advanced talks to join Saudi-Pakistan mutual defense pact

What distinguishes current talks from the historical cooperation among the three countries is the effort to formalize these relationships under a mutual defense framework.

JANUARY 18, 2026ByASHER SMITH

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan talks with Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al-Saud as Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar looks on, before their meeting on Gaza, in Istanbul, Turkey, November 3, 2025.

Syria's power struggle: Who controls what, and why fighting continues - analysis

For some commentators, the current conflict in Syria boils down to the new Syrian government attacking Kurdish forces. While this is correct in some ways, it is also very simplistic.

JANUARY 18, 2026BySETH J. FRANTZMAN

A group of civilians carry bags and belongings as they flee following renewed clashes between the Syrian army and the Syrian Democratic Forces, in Aleppo, Syria, January 7, 2026

Syria's government faces pivotal moment against SDF, as it retakes largest oil field - analysis

Overnight on January 17 and 18, there were major changes on the ground as Arab tribal fighters claimed to seize control of a number of villages and two oil fields on the East side of the Euphrates.

JANUARY 18, 2026BySETH J. FRANTZMAN

Soldiers from the Syrian Democratic Forces stand in front of the detainees before the first exchange operation between the Syrian Democratic Forces and the Syrian government in Aleppo, Syria, April 3, 2025.

Donald Trump sets $1 billion price tag for permanent seats on Gaza Board of Peace - report

Leaders from more than 60 countries have been invited to serve on the Gaza Board of Peace.

JANUARY 18, 2026ByMIRIAM SELA-EITAM

Palestinians walk along a street flooded by rainwater in the city of Khan Yunis, in the southern Gaza Strip, on January 13, 2026.

Trump did not notify Netanyahu about Qatari, Turkish participation in Gaza's Board of Peace - N12

"We did not tell Netanyahu in advance about the composition of the executive committee. Gaza is now our show, not his show," officials told N12.

JANUARY 17, 2026ByTOBIAS HOLCMAN

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu looks on next to US President Donald Trump as Trump leaves Israel en route to Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, at Ben Gurion International Airport in Lod, Israel, October 13, 2025.

Trump's Board of Peace announcement contradicts Israeli policy, PMO says

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu asked Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar to take the matter up with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the release added.

JANUARY 17, 2026ByAMICHAI STEIN, JERUSALEM POST STAFF

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attends a press conference with US President Donald Trump (not pictured) after meeting at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago club in Palm Beach, Florida, US, December 29, 2025.