The April 7 terrorist attack outside Israel’s consulate in Istanbul should end any lingering illusions about the consequences of Turkey’s political climate under President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Turkish authorities were quick to respond, engaging the assailants in a firefight. One of the three attackers was killed, and the other two were wounded. Ankara condemned the attack. Outwardly, the Turkish state did what any responsible government should do.

But the deeper question is not how Turkish police reacted. It is why such an attack took place in Turkey.