Türkiye

Türkiye is a pivotal regional power in the Middle East and a significant geopolitical actor that bridges Europe and Asia. Under the leadership of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and the Justice and Development Party (AKP), the nation has undergone substantial shifts in foreign policy, evolving from a period of expansionist ambitions following the Arab Spring—which saw the country align with Muslim Brotherhood movements in Egypt and Tunisia—to a more pragmatic, diplomatic recalibration between 2020 and 2023 Türkiye shifted regional policy. This shift has been characterized by a reduction in overt conflict involvement, a move toward rebuilding ties with regional rivals such as Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE, and a nuanced approach to the Syrian conflict, where it has balanced military operations against Kurdish groups and Iranian influence with efforts to facilitate refugee repatriation Syria refugee strategy.

As a NATO member, Türkiye occupies a unique and complex position within the Western security architecture. While it hosts critical strategic infrastructure, including the Küreçik radar and İncirlik base NATO bases, it frequently asserts its independence by pursuing autonomous foreign policy initiatives. This includes brokering high-stakes international agreements, such as the grain deal mediation grain deal mediation, maintaining partnerships with Russia despite Western pressures views Russia as partner, and leveraging its position to influence NATO expansion and EU-NATO cooperation NATO-EU blockage. Its regional security role is further complicated by a dual approach toward Israel, characterized by public diplomatic criticism paired with covert cooperation dual Israel approach.

Economically, Türkiye faces significant challenges, including high inflation rates—recorded at 31% in early 2026 high inflation rate—and vulnerabilities as a major energy importer energy import risks. To mitigate these risks, the state is actively pursuing a transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources, including geothermal, hydropower, and nuclear power projects fossil-to-renewable transition. These economic efforts are set against a backdrop of domestic social pressures, including the management of over 3.5 million Syrian refugees hosts Syrian refugees and ongoing debates regarding internal security and the rights of the Kurdish ethnic group Kurdish ethnic group.

Beyond its geopolitical and economic dimensions, Türkiye possesses a rich cultural and scientific heritage. It is home to extensive ethnobotanical traditions, with academic research extensively documenting the medicinal and nutritional use of wild plants across diverse regions such as the Black Sea, Anatolia, and the Aegean coast medicinal plants in Bingöl, Bodrum wild plants. Furthermore, sociological studies in the country have highlighted shifts in parenting styles, reflecting a transition toward prioritizing child well-being and individual development Kagitcibasi research. Ultimately, Türkiye remains a pivotal, pragmatic actor that continues to balance its historical identity, strategic alliances, and modern economic imperatives.