There is no longer any real debate about the nature of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s regime. This past year, Freedom House dropped Turkey’s ranking to “not free,” joining a club populated by the likes of Russia, Iran, North Korea, and Venezuela. In 2012, Reporters Without Borders described Turkey as the “world’s biggest prison for journalists” and their situation has since only gotten worse. Tax bodies audit any who dare donate to political opponents. Turkish prisons are filled to capacity with political prisoners. It seems that Erdogan has lived up to his cynical likening of democracy to a street car — something only to be ridden until the desired destination is reached.

A broad array of Turks who visit the United States and Europe speak of the fear and paranoia infusing Turkish society. Just as in the world’s most abusive autocratic regimes, Turks fear the wrong word or a whispered joke could lead to interrogation, arrest, or imprisonment. Just as in Cold War-era Communist states, a jealous neighbor or aggrieved businessman can file a false report and ruin lives.