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.

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

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.

Members of the Iraqi security forces take part in an event marking the Iraqi Police Day in Mosul, Iraq, January 9, 2026.

Iraq-Turkey tensions grow as Baghdad summons ambassador over 'interference' accusations

Baghdad issued a formal protest after remarks on PKK activity were seen as interference. Ankara says the comments were mistranslated and focused only on militants in Iraq.

FEBRUARY 11, 2026|BySETH J. FRANTZMAN

MKs Alon Schuster and Ohad Tal, Middle East Forum’s Alex Selsky and Greg Roman, INSS senior reaserch fellow Galia Lindenstrauss, entrepreneur Yehonatan Adiri, security expert Yossi Kuperwasser, and strategic advisor Liane Polak-David host “The 3+1 Framework” security meeting on February 10, 2026.

Israeli, Greek, Cypriot, US gov't officials gather in Knesset as Turkish threat rises

The meeting, held in cooperation with the Middle East Forum, discussed several regional developments and urged greater cooperation against the Turkish threat.

FEBRUARY 11, 2026|ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan speaks during a ceremony for the handover of new vehicles to the gendarmerie and police forces in Istanbul, Turkey, November 28, 2025.

Erdogan names controversial prosecutor as new Turkish justice minister

Akin Gurlek was the chief prosecutor behind the crackdown on the Turkish opposition party. His appointment marks the first cabinet shuffle since the last election.

FEBRUARY 11, 2026|ByREUTERS

Trump’s Muslim Brotherhood policy collides with Erdogan - opinion

Donald Trump will have to choose which side of history he is on as a collision between principle and power is coming.

FEBRUARY 5, 2026ByLIRON ROSE, AMIT SHABI

Abdul Hamid Thunaibat of the Muslim Brotherhood in Jordan, speaks as he addresses people gathered to pay condolences after the killing of Hamas deputy leader Saleh al-Arouri, at the headquarters of Jordan's Islamic Action Front, in Amman, Jordan January 3, 2024

Erdogan: Turkey working hard to prevent new Middle East war over US-Iran tensions

Speaking to reporters on a return flight from a visit to Egypt, Erdogan added that talks at the level of the US and Iranian leadership would be helpful after lower-level nuclear negotiations.

FEBRUARY 5, 2026ByREUTERS

Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan speaks to MPs at his party's group meeting in the Turkish parliament on January 21, 2026 in Ankara, Turkey.

Why America's Western lens fails to understand Middle East dynamics - opinion

The Middle East rewards power, clarity, and patience, and the US must learn to play by those rules. If they act desperate for deals and photo opportunities, then that is all they will get.

FEBRUARY 5, 2026ByERIC R. MANDEL

US President Donald Trump seen over an illustrative image of American-Iranian ties (illustrative)

Erdogan arrives in Cairo after Riyadh talks, raising concerns in Israel - analysis

Turkish President expected to discuss regional developments, including Gaza and Libya.

FEBRUARY 4, 2026BySETH J. FRANTZMAN

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan

Fourteen migrants die off Greece after boat collides with coast guard

A coastguard official said they spotted a dingy transporting migrants towards Chios, which lies a few miles off the coast of Turkey, and ordered them to turn back.

FEBRUARY 4, 2026ByREUTERS

Greek emergency personnel wait to transfer bodies of dead migrants, following migrant’s boat collision with coast guard off the island of Chios, in the port of Chios, Greece, February 3, 2026.

The Top 5 Dental Clinics in Turkey for 2026

FEBRUARY 3, 2026ByHANNAH SCHWARTZ

Benjamin Netanyahu, US envoy Steve Witkoff meet in Israel as US looks to revive talks with Iran

The visit comes ahead of reported talks between the United States and Iran in Istanbul scheduled for later this week, aimed at avoiding conflict and de-escalating tensions between the two sides.

FEBRUARY 3, 2026ByMIRIAM SELA-EITAM, IDAN KWELLER

US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff meets with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem, Israel, July 31, 2025

From rivals to partners: What does Erdogan’s Saudi visit mean for the Middle East? - analysis

Saudi Arabia welcomed Erdogan for talks highlighting closer Ankara-Riyadh ties as the kingdom reconsiders its regional priorities.

FEBRUARY 3, 2026BySETH J. FRANTZMAN

Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan speaks to MPs at his party's group meeting in the Turkish parliament on January 21, 2026 in Ankara, Turkey.

Witkoff, Araghchi to meet as Iranian general warns ‘no American will be safe’ if conflict erupts

A meeting between US and Iranian officials in Istanbul is seen as a best-case scenario, sources familiar with the plans said.

FEBRUARY 2, 2026ByLARA SUKSTER MOSHEYOF, JAMES GENN

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi (R) and US Middle East special envoy Steve Witkoff (L); illustrative.

Senators seek assurance with Save the Kurds Act as Sharaa regime, SDF agree to integration deal

The Save the Kurds Act calls for snapback sanctions if the Syrian regime recommences attacks on Kurds and demands that HTS be redesignated as a terrorist organization

FEBRUARY 1, 2026ByDANIELLE GREYMAN-KENNARD

Syrian Kurds demonstrate to demand their rights in the Syrian constitution and in support of Kurdish unity, in Qamishli, Syria February 1, 2026.