Turkey’s Foreign Policy Set to Face Major Challenges in 2026
A year of regional tensions, global diplomacy, and strategic balancing: Turkey is preparing for an exceptionally active year in foreign policy in 2026, a period Ankara has described as a “year of summits.” According to BBC Turkish, several key international issues are expected to dominate the agenda, with Syria, the Gaza process, and efforts to end the Russia–Ukraine war standing at the forefront.
Turkey will also host major international gatherings, including the NATO Summit in Ankara on July 7–8 and COP31 in Antalya from November 9 to 20, reinforcing its diplomatic visibility.
Syria Remains at the Top of the Agenda
Syria will continue to be one of Turkey’s primary concerns in 2026. Following the first anniversary of the end of the Baath regime in December 2025, efforts to institutionalize governance, rebuild the country, and revive the economy are expected to continue.
Early 2026 will be shaped by negotiations between the Damascus administration and the Syrian Democratic Forces, dominated by the PKK/YPG. Although an agreement was reached in March 2025 to integrate SDG forces into the Syrian army, disagreements over implementation have delayed the process. Turkey has repeatedly voiced frustration, stressing that it will not tolerate a YPG/SDG-controlled autonomous structure in Syria.
Gaza and Growing Tensions with Israel
Relations between Turkey and Israel, already strained by the war in Gaza, further deteriorated in 2025 due to developments in Syria. Israel’s military actions targeting Syria’s new leadership and its activities in southern regions have been described by Ankara as expansionist and destabilizing.
One of the major questions for 2026 is whether Turkey will take part in a proposed international force for Gaza. While Israel has openly opposed Turkey’s involvement, the United States is reportedly pushing for Ankara to play some role, with discussions expected to intensify as the Gaza process moves forward.
Russia–Ukraine War and Turkey’s Mediation Role
The Russia–Ukraine war remains a central issue for Turkey due to its impact on regional security, particularly in the Black Sea. Turkey hosted several rounds of direct talks between the two sides in 2025 and has repeatedly offered Istanbul as a venue for peace negotiations.
However, late-2025 incidents involving attacks on commercial ships and airspace violations raised concerns in Ankara, prompting warnings to both Moscow and Kyiv. These developments underscore Turkey’s delicate balancing role as 2026 approaches.
Relations with the US and Europe
With Donald Trump’s second term, Turkish-American relations entered a more dynamic phase, largely centered on defense cooperation. Despite ongoing talks, no breakthrough was achieved in lifting CAATSA sanctions or resolving the F-35 and S-400 dispute, an issue expected to remain on the agenda in 2026.
At the same time, debates over Europe’s future security architecture are intensifying. While some European countries support Turkey’s inclusion due to its military strength, objections within the EU have pushed Ankara toward deeper bilateral defense cooperation, including progress on the Eurofighter deal.
Cyprus and Armenia: Potential Openings
The change in leadership in Northern Cyprus in 2025 raised cautious hopes for renewed diplomacy on the island, though expectations remain modest. Meanwhile, normalization with Armenia is one of the more promising tracks, with plans to open the Alican/Margara border crossing in early 2026 to third-country nationals and diplomatic passport holders, marking a symbolic but significant step.
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