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Real Dictators Episodes

  1.

    Turkmenbashy Part 2: Putin, Taliban, Internet Shutdown

    Niyazov rules one of history's most surreal regimes, a North Korea 2.0.

  2. Turkmenbashy Part 1: Soviet Stooge, Hermit Tyrant

    In the rubble of the Soviet Union, Turkmenistan is born... its unusual leader, Niyazov.

  3. Saddam Hussein Part 5: The War on Terror

    In the aftermath of 9/11, Bush & Blair send troops into Iraq. But, Saddam vanishes...

  4. Saddam Hussein Part 4: The First Gulf War

    US forces are deployed as Iraq invades Kuwait. At home, it's a chance to undermine Saddam.

  5. Saddam Hussein Part 3: Oil and the Ayatollah

    Saddam clashes with Iran's new leader, and with his personality cult, he's ready for war.

  6. Saddam Hussein Part 2: Enforcer, Frontman, Mafia Godfather

    Saddam makes his move to consolidate power, appointing friends and relatives.

  7. Saddam Hussein Part 1: Son of the Alleyways

    In the spring of 1937, a baby is born... 'Saddam', meaning ‘one who confronts’.

  8. Pol Pot Part 4: The Killing Fields

    Forced back into the jungle, Pol Pot will evade justice with untold blood on his hands.

  9. Pol Pot Part 3: Vietnam War, Cambodian Revolution

    Pol Pot emerges from the Vietnam War to become the most powerful man in the land.

  10. Pol Pot Part 2: Welcome to the Jungle

    Following time in France in 1949, Pol Pot returns to Cambodia a die-hard communist rebel.

  11. Pol Pot Part 1: Tyrant in the Shadows

    Who really was Pol Pot, the Cambodian dictator who preferred to operate in the shadows?

  12. Pinochet Part 3: Searching for the Disappeared

    Pinochet consolidates control, creating a terrifying new secret police force...

  13. Pinochet Part 2: The Caravan of Death

    The touchpaper is lit. President Allende realises he’s been double-crossed...

  14. Pinochet Part 1: An Arrest in London

    In September 1973, Augusto Pinochet seizes power in Chile following a coup d’état.

  15. Papa Doc Part 3: Vampire of the Caribbean

    Duvalier declares himself an immaterial being, with son "Baby Doc" waiting in the wings.

  16. Papa Doc Part 2: Haiti’s Dictator vs JFK

    The horrors of the regime are impossible to ignore & so JFK decides to lay down a marker.

  17. Papa Doc Part 1: The Voodoo Tyrant

    François Duvalier, known as Papa Doc, wielded twin powers of state violence and voodoo.

  18. Oliver Cromwell Part 4: The Conquest of Ireland

    Cromwell becomes Lord Protector, but the Stuart monarchy couldn’t be restored, could it?

  19. Oliver Cromwell Part 3: To Kill a King…

    With the King in captivity, Cromwell takes a bold step. His Majesty must be put on trial…

  20. Oliver Cromwell Part 2: Civil War Across the Realms

    The English Civil War. Cromwell proves himself to be an outstanding military commander.

  21. Oliver Cromwell Part 1: The Rise of Ironsides

    Say “Oliver Cromwell” today and certain things come to mind. What is the real story?

  22. Napoleon Part 6: Showdown at Waterloo

    Napoleon breaks free from exile and rallies his troops for one last battle...

  23. Napoleon Part 5: Downfall in Russia

    After another dispute with Russia, Napoleon assembles his biggest ever army...

  24. Napoleon Part 4: The Emperor Strikes Back

    Seizing power in Paris, Bonaparte returns to Italy, reconquering all that had been lost.

  25. Napoleon Part 3: The Egyptian Adventure

    After a drubbing from Britain’s naval supremo, Horatio Nelson, Napoleon does a runner.

  26. Napoleon Part 2: The Italian Job

    Napoleon takes command of the French Army in Italy and gets a taste for political rule.

  27. Napoleon Part 1: The Humble Corsican

    You’ve heard the name Napoleon Bonaparte. But who was he, really?

  28. Mao Zedong Part 3: The Cultural Revolution

    As Mao's Cultural Revolution unfolds, his health deteriorates, and what of his legacy?

  29. Mao Zedong Part 2: The ‘Great Leap Forward’

    As Mao clinches power, his Great Leap Forwards drives millions across China to the edge.

  30. Mao Zedong Part 1: Peasant’s Son, Communist Rebel

    In 1893, Mao is born. As a child on his family farm, he will consume books & ideas.

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