Originally Posted by
chuckman
There are areas that are definitely anti-American, not entirely anti-western. If you look European and can pass as European, you stand a better chance of just being left alone. In the cities you likely will be fine. Standard SA rules: don't draw undue attention to yourself, avoid area that don't pass the smell test, etc. I will say this: for a "fringe" state, it's as safe as any other and safer than many. But Istanbul, I think you'll be OK.
I also have some other insight: that preacher who was jailed for a couple years that Trump got released? His sister is my wife's best friend, lives about 10 miles from us. When he left the White House he came south to visit the family, we went to see him. He loves the Turkish people. He thinks the Turkish government, especially leadership, is paranoid and looking for ways to create rifts with the US, and trying to play all sides off one another. Some of the leadership have the "all Americans are spies" vibe.