Free Republic

This summer's protests (centered around Gezi Park but with strong reach across the country) were a reaction to the authoritarian nature of [Erdogan]. In response Erdogan played the cards that had won him previous support. The protests were demonized [and he] called for ordinary people to rise up against these undemocratic forces . . . This shocked the somewhat naive international community and lost him support [in Turkey]. . . it may now [help] cause Erdogan's downfall.