Turkey

Turkey is a West Asian nation currently positioning itself as a middle power, evidenced by its recent upgrade to ASEAN dialogue partner status, joining other global players like the US, China, and Russia. This move signifies its growing international engagement. Domestically, the country is facing environmental challenges, with reports highlighting significant plastic contamination in its agricultural heartland, linked to waste imported from British companies. In terms of international relations, Turkey has been involved in discussions with Iran regarding regional security and has struck an oil pipeline deal with Iraq to boost exports. On the security front, a Turkish national was arrested in the UK on US charges related to alleged funneling of funds to Hamas. Turkey's intelligence service is also noted for its capabilities in penetrating foreign elites, including in Iran and China. Furthermore, Turkey has been a venue for discussions concerning international defense agreements, as indicated by a meeting with Ukrainian President Zelensky regarding Patriot missiles.