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

‘Donald Trump is within our reach’: Iranian hardliners demand attack on president at NATO summit

Along with urging the assassination of President Donald Trump, Iranian lawmakers called for the death of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

JULY 8, 2026ByDANIELLE GREYMAN-KENNARD

US President Donald Trump walks with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan during a formal arrival at the Bestepe Presidential Compound at the NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey, Tuesday, July 7, 2026.

Trump's shifting security messaging: Israel faces friction with US on Turkey F-35 deal - analysis

In Trump’s view, Turkey may help stabilize the region, curb Russian influence and keep Ankara within the Western camp. Israel, however, cannot regard it as a normal Western ally.

JULY 8, 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.

NATO leaders unveil $50 billion in defense deals as Trump renews push to control Greenland

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said on Monday that Europeans had made "staggering" increases in defense spending.

JULY 8, 2026ByREUTERS

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte speaks during the High Level Defence announcements at the NATO Summit Defence Industry Forum, on the sidelines of the NATO leaders' Summit, in Ankara, Turkey, July 7, 2026.

Iran’s Hormuz escalation tests Gulf states, US resolve - analysis

Iran appears to be testing Gulf states and the US with renewed maritime pressure in the Strait of Hormuz, risking wider regional instability.

JULY 7, 2026BySETH J. FRANTZMAN

Vessels at the Strait of Hormuz, as seen from Musandam, Oman, June 15, 2026.

Netanyahu: Turkey not 'friendly state' to US, F-35 sale would disrupt Mideast power balance

Netanyahu told CNN that he had spoken to Trump about his concerns regarding the possibility that the sale could disrupt the balance of power in the region.

JULY 7, 2026ByGOLDIE KATZ

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during a cornerstone laying ceremony for the Atarot Heritage Center in east Jerusalem near the separation wall with the West Bank on July 5, 2026.

Trump's F-35 offer to Turkey alarms Greece, Athens warns of Aegean military imbalance

Although Greek officials are not commenting publicly on the potential F-35 deal, Greek reporter Vassilis Nedos said Athens has repeatedly communicated its concerns to successive US administrations.

JULY 7, 2026ByAMICHAI STEIN

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

Israel’s Armenia decision could cost it its closest regional friend - opinion

Israel’s recognition of the Armenian genocide may carry diplomatic costs that reach beyond Turkey.

JULY 7, 2026ByROMAN GUREVICH

Azerbaijani civilians killed during the Khojaly Genocide in February 1992, when Armenian armed forces, with the support of the former Soviet 366th regiment, seized the town of Khojaly in Azerbaijan’s Nagorno-Karabakh region.

US to lift Turkey sanctions, decide on sale of F-35 fighter jets, Trump says ahead of NATO summit

Speaking alongside the US president, Turkey's Erdogan claimed he had been promised five of the jets and said he and Trump would discuss KAAN jet engines.

JULY 7, 2026ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF

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.

Israel recognizing Armenian Genocide doesn't go far enough – they must protect Armenians - opinion

States do not recognize genocides because they have suddenly discovered a moral conscience. They do so when it aligns with their political, strategic, diplomatic, or domestic interests.

JULY 7, 2026ByBEDROSS DER MATOSSIAN

Members of the Armenian diaspora rally in front of the Turkish Embassy after U.S. President Joe Biden recognized that the 1915 massacres of Armenians in the Ottoman Empire constituted genocide in Washington, U.S., April 24, 2021.

Trump expected to back F-35 sale to Turkey despite legal hurdles, sources say

The report comes as Trump heads to Ankara for a NATO summit, where he is expected to meet Erdogan. The summit is set to begin on Tuesday evening.

JULY 7, 2026ByREUTERS

The F-35 "Adir" fighter jet.