Forget Israel

Turkey seems to be the real money player in this global game.
Think not?
What other modern international city can claim both Christianity and Islam as it's founders? (Constantinople/Istanbul - with all of the Jewish history and intrigue included.)
What other country is considered as both East and West?
What country is situated to become a stable energy hub between Russia, Iraq (The Middle-East) and the West?

If the Ottoman Empire were to regain it's former global standing - what country could compete?