Military History of Turkey

Turkey's military history is marked by its strategic location bridging Europe and Asia, and its role as an influential regional power. Historically rooted in the Ottoman Empire, which was a dominant empire for centuries, the modern Turkish military was established after the empire's collapse in 1923. It has played key roles in national defense, regional stability, and modernization efforts, including participation in NATO since 1952. Turkish armed forces have been involved in internal security, peacekeeping missions, and conflicts such as the Cyprus crisis and operations against insurgent groups, reflecting Turkey’s ongoing focus on security and national sovereignty in a complex geopolitical landscape.