Turkey Country Report
Turkey (formerly Turkey) is a secular, Muslim-majority democratic country with territories on both continents, located at the intersection of Asia and Europe. Today’s Turkey, established from the Ottoman Empire, borders Bulgaria and Greece to the northwest. Georgia in the northeast. Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Iran in the east. and Iraq and Syria in the southeast. The country has a wide coastline with the Black Sea in the north, the Aegean Sea in the west, and the Mediterranean Sea in the south, and Turkey shares a maritime border with the island of Cyprus.
The democratically elected government is generally stable, but tensions between nationalist, secular, leftist, and Islamist political forces contribute to instability. The failed coup has highlighted ongoing tensions between the Justice and Development Party (AKP)-led government and factions of the military. After a controversial constitutional referendum over the failed coup and early elections the following year, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan strengthened several executive powers that allowed him to appoint top officials and draft new legislation.
Rapid economic growth and a friendly investment climate make Turkey an attractive place for new business ventures. Recently, however, political interference in the local economy and corruption have raised concerns about financial stability. In particular, the devaluation of the lira has undermined confidence in the Turkish economy. The COVID-19 pandemic has had a major impact on the sluggish economy. The exploration of energy reserves in the Eastern Mediterranean is seen as an option to help the economic recovery of the country that depends on energy imports. But these deposits, which are located in areas claimed by Greece and Cyprus, are also a source of tension.
The main threats to foreign tourists are petty crimes and traffic accidents. Türkiye is under severe threat of terrorism. Along the southern borders with Syria and in the Kurdistan region of southeastern Iraq, this threat is mostly due to the continuation of the Kurdish separatist rebellion and the presence of Islamic extremists and leftist extremists in this country. In the past, there have been many terrorist attacks by local and transnational terrorist organizations against domestic and international targets. Attacks by Kurdish separatist groups have caused frequent military clashes near Turkey’s southeastern border and fueled internal unrest. But following Turkey’s military operations in northern Syria, this risk has decreased. Turkish authorities have started their military operations in northern Iraq to destroy Kurdish bases and secure Turkish borders. Islamic State (ISIS) militants are a significant terrorist threat in Turkey.
National infrastructure and medical services are generally well maintained in large cities, but safety concerns may arise in mountainous and remote areas. This country is located in a region with high seismic activity and therefore is at risk of earthquakes.
Last updated: August 31, 2023
Security
Terrorism is a big threat. Terrorist attacks by Kurdish separatists and Islamic extremists have occurred across Turkey, targeting foreign interests. Islamic extremists have shown their willingness and ability to carry out attacks on a national scale. In recent years, the Islamic State (ISIS) and Kurdish separatist forces have carried out several major attacks in Istanbul and Ankara. Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) rebels have started a rebellion against Turkish forces in the southeastern provinces of this country. The Front of the People’s Liberation Party (DHKP/C), a Marxist-Leninist group, is also a security threat.
Criminal activities in Türkiye are a potential threat to foreign tourists. Tourists in big cities are common targets of street crimes. Socio-economic issues and political tensions regularly cause social unrest that can quickly turn violent. Before the border wall was built, the influx of refugees from northern Syria was thought to be linked to an increase in petty crime in the southeastern border states. Turkey’s participation in military operations in Syria also increases the risk of cross-border conflicts.
The country faces the risk of conflict due to the Kurdish separatist insurgency in the southeastern provinces, and the Syrian conflict is negatively affecting the security environment along Turkey’s southern border. However, following the massive military operation in northern Syria and the occupation of Afrin by the People’s Protection Units (YPG), the risk of cross-border infiltration has decreased.
Last updated: August 25, 2023
Infrastructure
There are no significant risks associated with air travel in Turkey (Turkey).
Dangerous local driving habits and poor road conditions lead to a high rate of traffic accidents in Turkey. Land travel may be restricted by Turkish military movements and checkpoints in the southeastern region.
Anbarlu port administration and Izmir port administration were the most efficient and Iskenderun port administration was the least efficient.
Water and electricity are good.
Concerns are growing about the threat of cyber attacks that could damage the domestic economy
Last updated: March 23, 2023
Environment
Turkey (Turkey) is located in a seismic zone and large earthquakes occur regularly. Other natural disasters such as forest fires, landslides, and floods also occur frequently in Turkey. Mine contamination exists along the southern border with Syria and in the southeastern region of this country.
Last updated: March 23, 2023
Health and Medical
The level of healthcare provision in Türkiye (Türkiye) varies. University hospitals and top-level doctors in cities like Istanbul and Ankara offer a decent level of care, but many of the state-funded hospitals that fund them lag behind Western standards. In rural areas of the East, the quality of care can be particularly poor. Food and water should be consumed with caution. Those requiring medical assistance may need to evacuate depending on their location.
Last updated: March 23, 2023
Political
Turkey is a constitutional democratic republic with a presidential system and a multi-party system. The president is the head of the state and the country. The President, Cabinet and Congress exercise executive power. The judiciary is nominally independent from the executive and legislative branches. Presidential and parliamentary elections are held at least once every five years. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and the Justice and Development Party (AKP) have ruled Turkey since 2003. After a failed coup in 2016, Erdogan and the Justice and Development Party have increasingly faced accusations of collusion with the judiciary, suppression of independent media and opposition groups, and corruption.
Türkiye became a presidential system in 2017. Under the new system, government formation usually requires a cross-sectoral coalition of several parties. Before the 2017 reforms, government collapses occurred with moderate frequency. Government organizations have capacity and efficiency and generally provide reliable services in most parts of the country.
Last updated: August 31, 2023
