Turkey's political landscape is increasingly characterized by autocracy under President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who has systematically dismantled democratic institutions and silenced opposition, exemplified by the recent arrest of his political rival, Ekrem Imamoglu. Despite Turkey's strategic importance, the international community has largely remained silent, providing insufficient support to Turkish citizens resisting authoritarianism. Erdogan's grip on power has intensified over the years, transforming from a once-pragmatic leader to a figure prioritizing personal power and implementing policies that threaten regional stability. The arrest of Imamoglu has sparked significant domestic unrest, with widespread protests reflecting public discontent and fear of continued democratic erosion. The global response, particularly from Western democracies, is critical in supporting Turkish citizens and pressuring Erdogan to halt his autocratic trajectory, thereby safeguarding democracy in the region.

President Erdogan's tenure has been marked by a shift from a pragmatic leader to an autocrat, visible in his manipulation of Turkey's Constitution to consolidate power, control over the judiciary, media suppression, and frequent arrests of dissenters.

The arrest of Ekrem Imamoglu, Erdogan's main political opponent and mayor of Istanbul, highlights Erdogan's strategy to eliminate opposition and maintain indefinite control, drawing parallels to Russia's autocratic path under Vladimir Putin.

Internationally, responses to Turkey's democratic backsliding have been muted, with leaders like President Trump expressing personal fondness for Erdogan, while others, such as the European Commission's president, offer only subdued criticism.

Despite Erdogan's authoritarian tactics, political analysts suggest that Turkish voters are increasingly disillusioned with his leadership, as seen in Imamoglu's previous electoral victories and continued popularity as a potential president.

Erdogan's policies have not only strained Turkey's internal democratic fabric but also raised concerns over potential regional instability, with implications for Syria's recovery and broader Middle Eastern dynamics.

Protests against Imamoglu's arrest have been large and courageous, with significant public participation despite the threat of arrest and sham trials, underscoring the Turkish people's resistance to autocracy.

The editorial argues that Western democracies possess economic and diplomatic leverage to influence Erdogan and that they should actively support Turkish citizens to counteract Turkey's drift toward authoritarianism and Islamist extremism.