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

Erdogan wants America's F-35s, Israel has every reason to worry - editorial

For Israel, air superiority is not a luxury. If the US were to provide Turkey with F-35 fighter jets, Israel's security and the regional balance of power may face grave threats.

JULY 7, 2026ByJPOST EDITORIAL

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan looks on as Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis (not pictured) addresses the media during a joint press conference at the Presidential Complex in Ankara, on February 11, 2026.

Israel’s diaspora minister calls Erdogan a ‘grotesque hybrid of Hitler and Sinwar’

“We all know how narcissistic power-obsessed fanatics like you begin and how they end. The Jewish people have never feared mere flesh and blood, from Pharaoh until today,” Chikli wrote.

JULY 7, 2026ByGRACE GILSON/JTA

Diaspora Affairs Minister Amichai Chikli attends a conference against antisemitism in Jerusalem, January 26, 2026.

'Clear call for genocide': Sa'ar speaks out after Turkish foreign minister's antisemitic interview

After Turkey's Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan called the people of Israel 'a burden that humanity can no longer bear,' Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar cites Holocaust history.

JULY 6, 2026ByRUBY SADIKMAN

Gideon Sa'ar and Olivier Nduhungirehe at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Jerusalem on July 6.

Netanyahu struggling to prevent Trump-Erdogan ties from disrupting US-Israel allyship - analysis

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's two interviews on Fox News in less than 48 hours are no coincidence; they're part of a diplomatic struggle unfolding in real time.

JULY 6, 2026ByANNA BARSKY

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during a ceremony commemorating Israel's Remembrance Day for fallen soldiers, or Yom HaZikaron, at the Military Cemetery on Mount Herzl in Jerusalem on April 21, 2026

Turkey's detention of anti-NATO protesters raises questions ahead of summit - explainer

The arrests came just before the July 7-8 NATO summit, which is bringing leaders from all 32 member states to Ankara, including President Donald Trump.

JULY 6, 2026BySTEVEN GANOT/THE MEDIA LINE

A NATO flag flies at the NATO headquarters in Brussels on September 12, 2025.

Netanyahu warns US should not sell F-35s to Turkish regime 'infected by Muslim Brotherhood'

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned that giving Ankara F-35s or fighter jet engines would “upset the power balance in the Middle East."

JULY 6, 2026ByGOLDIE KATZ, TZVI JASPER

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during a special plenum session in honor of US President Donald Trump at the Knesset, in Jerusalem, October 13, 2025

Turkey’s neo-Ottoman ambitions: Erdogan, Hamas, and threats to Israel - opinion

Last week, we learned from US Vice President JD Vance that the Trump Administration considers Turkey eligible to receive F-35 fighter jets. It is reviewing how Turkey can legally get the fighter jets

JULY 6, 2026ByYISRAEL MEDAD

Syria's newly appointed president for a transitional phase Ahmed al-Shaara meets with Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan at the Presidential Palace in Ankara, Turkey, February 4, 2025.

France softens stance on selling Franco-Italian air-defense system to Turkey, sources say

France's foreign ministry declined to comment and referred to the French presidency, as did the defense ministry. Turkey's foreign ministry did not respond to requests for comment.

JULY 6, 2026ByREUTERS

The Eurosam SAMP/T vertical launcher is displayed at the 55th International Paris Airshow at Le Bourget Airport near Paris, France, June 18, 2025.

'Murderer NATO': Over 100 anti-NATO protesters detained in Turkey ahead of Ankara summit

Footage showed flag-waving protesters chanting slogans including "Murderer NATO, get out of the country" and "No passage to NATO," as riot police intervened using tear gas to disperse crowds.

JULY 6, 2026ByREUTERS

Protestors hold signs and wave flags during an anti-NATO demonstration in Istanbul, ahead of a NATO summit, on July 5, 2026.

German FM backs Israel after Turkish counterpart’s ‘genocide incitement’ remarks

Wadephul is scheduled to visit Israel on Tuesday and meet with Sa’ar, before continuing to a NATO meeting.

JULY 6, 2026ByANNA BARSKY

Germany's Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul speaks during a statement alongside Brazilian Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira (out of frame) at the Itamaraty Palace in Brasilia on July 3, 2026