The unrest reflects growing disquiet at the authoritarianism of Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan and his Islamist-rooted Justice and Development Party (AKP).

Riot police clashed with tens of thousands of May Day protesters in Istanbul this month. There have also been protests against the government’s stance on the conflict in neighboring, a tightening of restrictions on alcohol sales and warnings against public displays of affection.

Yackley, Ayla Jean.  “Turkish police fire teargas in worst protests for years.”  Reuters, May 31, 2013.

My week is done.

My prayers — and I do offer them — go out to those ensnared in war zones worldwide.

These days, this responding to the latest news from Turkey, a little fighting in the streets met with teargas looks almost quaint.

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