DICTATORSHIP IN TURKEY: “Prime Minister Erdogan continues to emulate Vladimir Putin as he consolidates control in Turkey. Yesterday, after warning the news group to stop criticizing him and calling for a boycott of critical newspapers, his appointees slapped a $500 million fine on the Dogan Group. Meanwhile, wiretapping scandals continue and even Turkish diplomats say they are afraid to go to restaurants and talk about politics or policy openly as Turkey continues its slide into becoming a Middle Eastern-style police state.”