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's main opposition leader Ozel announces intentions to resign, form new party

The Republican People's Party, known by its Turkish-language acronym CHP, was founded by Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, and is the main opposition to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

JULY 21, 2026|ByREUTERS, JERUSALEM POST STAFF

Turkey's main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Ozgur Ozel, with a poster of modern Turkey's founder Ataturk in the background, speaks during a rally in Istanbul, Turkey, May 18, 2024.

Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei speaks during an interview, amid the US-Israeli conflict with Iran, in Tehran, Iran, April 5, 2026.

Iran's Baghaei warns Bulgaria against aiding US during operations, hosting American aircraft

The Bulgarian government has said it will seek parliamentary approval to station up to eight US tanker aircraft at an air base in the Balkan country, which is a member of NATO and the European Union.

JULY 21, 2026|ByTZVI JASPER, REUTERS

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan hopes to revive the Ottoman Empire and his fundamental views are largely overlooked in the West. Here seen at a ceremony welcoming Pope Leo XIV to Ankara on November 27, 2025.

Turkey’s new role: How Erdogan is supporting Hamas, challenging Israel - opinion

The Turkey that once welcomed Israeli tourists with warmth has been fundamentally transformed. Under Erdogan, successive governments have strengthened the country’s Sunni Islamic identity...

JULY 20, 2026|ByYARON BUSKILA

IDF soldiers operate in southern Lebanon, published July 15, 2026.

The IDF is not enough: Israel needs an expeditionary force to fight beyond its borders - opinion

Israel has gradually adopted the logic of a fortress: defend the center, harden the perimeter, and intercept whatever penetrates it. But a fortress cedes the initiative to the besieger.

JULY 19, 2026|ByARIEL HARKHAM

Greece says US selling F-35s to Erdogan is concerning, demands security guarantees from Ankara

Greek Defense Minister Nikos Dendias said Greece "would not welcome" Turkey receiving either F-35 fighter jets or engines for its next-generation Turkish "Kaan" combat aircraft.

JULY 9, 2026ByAMICHAI STEIN

Newly acquired Polish F-35 Lightning II stealth strike fighters, named 'Husarz' in reference to the Polish "winged hussar" cavalry units, fly in formation accompanied by F-16 jets during a flypast over Westerplatte, as part of the celebratory event dubbed "Welcome to Poland", in Gdansk, Poland, June

Trump's message about Turkey goes beyond F-35s, shows new balance in Mediterranean - analysis

The debate over the F-35 goes beyond the aircraft themselves. It concerns how the United States balances its relations with its two important allies in the eastern Mediterranean.

JULY 9, 2026ByANNA BARSKY

US President Donald Trump shakes hands with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan as he arrives at the Bestepe Presidential Palace during a formal welcome for the NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey, Tuesday, July 7, 2026.

Will Turkey box Israel out of Hamas's future role in Gaza?

Israel watches Turkey’s rise with concern as F-35 talks, Hamas’s refusal to disarm and Iran’s uranium stockpile reshape the regional threat map.

JULY 9, 2026ByJERUSALEM POST PODCASTS

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan welcomes US President Donald Trump at Ankara Airport, who is paying an official visit to Turkey ahead of the 36th NATO Heads of State and Government Summit in Ankara, Turkey, on July 7, 2026.

NATO 'came a long way today,' falling back into favor with Trump after the Ankara summit

Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One, "I did have issues, and I still do. But Spain, they came back all the way today. Spain was very generous today."

JULY 9, 2026ByREUTERS, JERUSALEM POST STAFF

US President Donald Trump and Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni attend a NATO leaders' summit in Ankara, Turkey, July 8, 2026

US expected to send six F-35 fighter jets to Turkey, lift bans, following NATO summit - report

The deal would depend on US President Donald Trump reversing the ban on Ankara's purchase of the latest-generation American fighter jets, the report noted.

JULY 8, 2026ByTOBIAS HOLCMAN, REUTERS

An F-35 plane stands on the tarmac at Nevatim Air Force Base.

Trump warns US will 'probably' strike Iran tonight after saying MoU is 'over'

"I'll give a little warning: We're going to hit them hard tonight," Trump told reporters at the NATO summit in Turkey before his meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

JULY 8, 2026ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF, YONAH JEREMY BOB

US President Donald Trump holds a bilateral meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (not pictured) alongside the NATO leaders summit at the Bestepe Presidential Compound, joined by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, in Ankara, Turkey, July 8, 2026.

What is the best path forward for regime change in Iran? - opinion

It is critical to note that Iran is a multi-ethnic country, populated by Persians, Azerbaijanis, Kurds, Turks, Lors, Baloch, Ahvazis, and a variety of other ethnic groups.

JULY 8, 2026ByRACHEL AVRAHAM

Members of the Kurdistan Democratic Party of Iran (KDPI) walk back to their outpost near Erbil, Kurdistan region of Iraq on Saturday, June 10, 2023. The KDPI, a leftist Kurdish group of Iran that has been running an armed struggle against the Islamic Republic's regime in Iran from exile for decades

Trump demands US halt trade with Spain, renews claim over Greenland, angering NATO allies

Trump called Madrid a "terrible partner" in NATO as he railed against allies for not supporting the war on Iran and ordered Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to halt all trade with Spain.

JULY 8, 2026ByREUTERS

Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer speaks with U.S. President Donald Trump at a meeting of the North Atlantic Council (NAC) during the NATO leaders' summit in Ankara, Turkey, July 8, 2026.

The war Israel is preparing for may not be the one ahead - opinion

Israel must momentarily set aside domestic political debates and examine the broader geopolitical chessboard.

JULY 8, 2026ByLIRON ROSE, AVNET KLEINER

Turkish soldiers march during a military parade to mark the 1974 Turkish invasion of Cyprus in response to a short-lived Greek-inspired coup, in the Turkish-controlled northern Cyprus, in the divided city of Nicosia, Cyprus July 20, 2023.

Sharaa arrives at Ankara summit with Syria seeking closer NATO ties - analysis

Syria’s president is emerging from one set of success stories, with the French leader's visit, to another potential success at the NATO summit.

JULY 8, 2026BySETH J. FRANTZMAN

Syrian President Ahmed Al-Sharaa attends a press conference, on the day he meets France's President Emmanuel Macron, in Damascus, Syria, July 7, 2026.