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It’s by now axiomatic that democratic, prosperous, NATO member Turkey offers a valuable model for more troubled countries in the Middle East to follow. That remains broadly true, but Turkey itself appears to be losing its way.

This isn’t because the country’s neo-Islamist government is turning the country into an Iranian-style theocratic state. After two terms in office, it hasn’t. The problem, different but worrying, is that the improved democracy Turkey’s ruling Justice and Development Party so impressively began a decade ago is in retreat.