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 condemns eastern Libyan parliament's policy flip, ratification of Turkey maritime deal

"Israel strongly condemns the decision of the Libyan House of Representatives to ratify the Maritime Jurisdiction Memorandum between Turkey and Libya."

OCTOBER 21, 2026|ByJONAH DAVIDOV, REUTERS

Turkish Navy's Kilic-class fast attack craft participate in a ceremonial parade during the Denizkurdu-I/2026 Exercise in the Eastern Mediterranean, off the coast of Aksaz, at Marmaris in Mugla, on September 24, 2026.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan attends a meeting with Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty to discuss stability in the region following an interim deal between the US and Iran, at Tahrir Palace in Cairo, Egypt June 21, 2026.

Turkey, Qatar, Pakistan, Indonesia sign defense cooperation agreement in Doha

In a statement, the ministry said the accord, signed in Doha, would also support military exercises and training, cooperation on research and development, and both countries' defense industries.

OCTOBER 21, 2026|ByREUTERS

A Turkish soldier participating an a NATO exercise, Barbate, Spain, March 28, 2025; illustrative.

Turkey to submit mandate to parliament allowing military personnel to be deployed to Saudi Arabia

The lawmaker, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the mandate would be sent to parliament once a bill ratifying the accord has been approved.

OCTOBER 21, 2026|ByREUTERS

Iranian Kurdish fighters from the Kurdistan Freedom Party, known as PAK take part in a training session at a base on the outskirts of Erbil, Iraq February 12, 2026.

Iran strikes Iranian opposition group Kurdistan Freedom Party in latest attack

This comes after Iran has targeted the Democratic Party of Iranian Kurdistan (PDKI), Komala, and Khabat groups in recent weeks, and is also pressing Iraq to expel Kurdish Iranian opposition groups.

OCTOBER 21, 2026|BySETH J. FRANTZMAN

Peace in the Middle East? Kurdish PKK leader discusses regional ‘third world war’

Kamal Chomani, with The Amargi news outlet, spent ten days in caves waiting to interview the PKK chief in an exclusive interview about the region, Kurds, Turkey, and the world today.

OCTOBER 12, 2026BySETH J. FRANTZMAN

Murat Karayilan co-leader of the Kurdistan Worker's Party (PKK) and leader of the Kurdistan Democratic Confederalism Council (KKK) poses during an interview with AFP in a camp near Arbil in the Sinena mountains, northern Iraq, 11 August 2005.

Israel, Kurdistan, and the hopes for a strong political alliance - opinion

In a twisted way, the closer Kurds and Jews get, and the more visible that becomes, the more people start seeing Kurds as another kind of Jew: in how they frame the Kurdish political struggle.

OCTOBER 12, 2026ByMEM HUSEDIN

Israelis from Kurdish origin take part in a rally in support of the Kurdish referendum outside the American consulate in Jerusalem September 24, 2017

Pakistan pledges full military backing to Saudi Arabia under Mecca pact after deadly Houthi strikes

“Pakistan will not tolerate any kind of aggression. Our agreements demand it, and so do our bonds of brotherhood.”

OCTOBER 12, 2026ByTHE MEDIA LINE STAFF

Supporters of the Houthi authorities gather during a protest against the Saudi intervention in Yemen, in Sanaa, on October 9, 2026.

Saudi Arabia, Israel have shared interests at stake, Houthi escalation highlights - editorial

Saudi Arabia's defense pact with Turkey and Pakistan faces growing scrutiny as the Houthi conflict escalates, with questions remaining over military deployments and the allies' roles.

OCTOBER 12, 2026ByJPOST EDITORIAL

Smoke and flames rise from King Khalid Airport, after Yemen's Iran-backed Houthis said they attacked the airport, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, October 8, 2026, in this screengrab obtained from a social media video.

Could Egyptian military deployment in Somalia upset Horn of Africa balance of power? - analysis

This potentially important development comes as Pakistan and Turkey may also be deploying forces to Saudi Arabia to support the Kingdom’s defenses against the Houthis.

OCTOBER 11, 2026BySETH J. FRANTZMAN

Military personnel stand guard on the day of Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly's visit to the Rafah border crossing between Egypt and the Gaza Strip, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, in Rafah, Egypt, October 31, 2023.

'Horrific terrorist attack': Netanyahu, world leaders condemn Houthi attack on Riyadh airport

"We may. We're going to look at it. We just found out about the recent attack, so we'll make a decision," US President Donald Trump said. "We move very quickly."

OCTOBER 11, 2026ByMIRIAM SELA-EITAM

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly at U.N. Headquarters in New York City, Sept. 24, 2026.

Israel’s security partnerships must be built on reciprocity, not convenience - opinion

Israel is not a mistress; these countries can hide while seeking to enjoy the benefits of its intelligence and other capabilities.

OCTOBER 10, 2026ByDAVID BEN-BASAT

Flags are seen ahead of "The Negev Summit", hosted by Israel's Foreign Minister Yair Lapid and attended by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, and the foreign ministers of the UAE, Bahrain, Morocco and Egypt, in Sde Boker, Israel, March 27, 2022.

Visiting Abraham’s ‘birth chamber’ in southern Turkey

A trip to Urfa is a spiritual and religious experience, not merely a geographical one. It doesn’t offer the shallow excitement of a typical tourist site; it leaves an almost physical impact.

OCTOBER 10, 2026ByJACOB MAOR

ABRAHAM’S POOL, whose waters and fish were sanctified according to Jewish tradition

Between the straits: The world cannot afford to yield to Iran - opinion

The US and its allies have no alternative but to prove to Iran-backed terror groups that closing straits to influence the global economy and political and operational decisions will not succeed.

OCTOBER 9, 2026ByBRIG.-GEN. (RES.) PROF. JACOB NAGEL

An Iranian missile system is displayed next to a banner with a picture of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, during Iranian defence week, in a street in Tehran, Iran, September 24, 2024.

Trump envoy kept financial ties to firm behind $15 billion Hormuz-bypass oil pipeline plan

Barrack, US presidential special envoy to both Iraq and Syria as well as Ambassador to Turkey, has a longstanding business relationship with TI Capital and its founder Ziad Ghandour.

OCTOBER 9, 2026ByREUTERS

FILE PHOTO: US Special Envoy for Syria and Iraq Tom Barrack speaks to members of media at the United Nations headquarters in New York City, US, September 24, 2026.