The Tower: The Gezi Diaries - can we still call Turkey civilized? Some see it as a modern democracy with an Islamic tint, an improving, reforming country. But if you were in Istanbul during the last month and a half, you’d have seen something completely different: a violent, authoritarian, increasingly suppressive and brutal regime. Tales from the Dark Side, Turkish style. [by Claire Berlanski]

An incredibly pointed & very truthful account of the Turkish protests (aka police riots) by an American novelist & journalist who lives there. A little long, but an absolute must-read if you'd like to understand what's been happening and how the rest of the world plays a part.

http://www.thetower.org/article/the-gezi-diaries-erdogans-turkey-goes-medieval/