15 posts tagged with "Real Dictators"

Wounded at the Front, Mussolini’s war ends early. A playboy aristocrat forms his own private army, offering inspiration to Il Duce. As Italian workers go on strike, Mussolini’s goons crack skulls on the streets. And in a smoke-filled hall in Milan, he declares the birth of a new movement. His

A brand-new release from the Noiser Network. Join Hugh Bonneville on a thrilling journey through Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s most celebrated Holmes mysteries - read in their original, masterful form. If you enjoy this taster episode, search ’Sherlock Holmes Short Stories’ in your podcast app and hit follow for more

We begin at the end… in 1945, with a pile of bodies dumped in Milan then strung up for all to see. Among them, the most powerful man in Italy. One of the most significant figures in modern history. How did it come to this? In this episode, we scroll

The Falklands War casts a long shadow over Argentina as the junta teeters on the verge of collapse. The country slowly returns to democracy. But that isn’t the end of Videla’s time in the spotlight. As a heroic legal case is brought against him, justice for his victims finally seems

In Part 4 of the Real Dictators podcast on General Videla, the narrative centers around the courtroom drama following the Falklands War, where Prosecutor Julio Stracera seeks justice for the victims of Videla's dictatorship during a landmark trial. The episode highlights the emotional testimonies from survivors, amidst a shifting political landscape that signals Argentina's return to democracy. The trials, led by young prosecutor Luis Moreno Ocampo, become a pivotal moment in public accountability, even as challenges such as impunity and political pardons linger. Ultimately, Videla's life sentence represents a significant legal and societal acknowledgment of the atrocities committed during his reign, while the lasting impact of his regime continues to shape Argentine memory and discourse on human rights.

The 1978 FIFA World Cup rolls into Argentina. A surreal fortnight ensues. Fans flock to revamped stadia, while just metres away prisoners cower - hidden in secret torture facilities. As foreign journalists begin to join the dots, Videla goes into statesman mode. With the tournament in the balance, the dictator

In this episode of Real Dictators, the narrative revolves around the 1978 FIFA World Cup in Argentina, highlighting the stark contrasts between the celebration of football and the oppressive political climate under General Videla. While international attention focuses on the tournament, revealing Argentina's vibrant image, the grim reality of political repression unfolds in secretive detention centers. Videla employs the World Cup as a propaganda tool to bolster his regime's legitimacy amidst growing human rights abuses. The episode exemplifies the juxtaposition of national pride and state-sponsored violence, culminating in Argentina's victory while many remain imprisoned and forgotten.

Videla’s dirty war begins. ‘Subversives’ are rooted out, with torture centres established across the land - including one known as the ‘Argentine Auschwitz’. Education, music, children’s books and haircuts are subjected to new regulations. And as the Junta garners international attention, Videla will employ elaborate means to gloss over the

In this episode of Real Dictators, titled 'General Videla Part 2: Mr Clean’s Dirty War,' we explore the violent regime established by General Jorge Rafael Videla following the 1976 coup in Argentina. The junta enacted martial law, censoring media and targeting perceived subversives, leading to the infamous Dirty War characterized by widespread disappearances and the establishment of torture centers. The brutal methods employed aimed to suppress dissent not only through violence but also through cultural repression. As international scrutiny increased, the Mothers of Plaza de Mayo began their silent protests, demanding justice for their missing loved ones amid efforts by Videla to maintain a favorable global image.

Argentina. The story of a gaunt, hawkish man who earned the nickname “the Hitler of the Pampa”. A man whose awkward bearing belied his capacity for cruelty. A dictator who literally stole the children of his prisoners. In 1925, Jorge Rafael Videla is born into a country at a crossroads.

This episode of Real Dictators, hosted by Paul McGann, explores the life of Jorge Rafael Videla, an Argentine dictator notorious for his brutal suppression of dissent during his regime from 1976 to 1981. The episode reveals the climate of fear and violence in Argentina, especially in political contexts, and details Videla's military background and the historical events that shaped his rise to power. It discusses the political turmoil leading to his coup, operational strategies like Operation Independence, and the overall impact of his dictatorship which was marked by widespread torture and forced disappearances of thousands.

Almost every dictator, at one time or another, has put pen to paper. Some have wrestled with ideas, with philosophy. Many have merely vented - spewing their diatribes onto the page. Others have made forays into fiction, poetry and drama… with varying degrees of success. Noiser writer Duncan Barrett spoke

In this bonus episode of Real Dictators, Duncan Barrett and Daniel Kalder explore the literary outputs of dictators, from Lenin to Saddam Hussein. They discuss how these writings reflect the dictators' ideologies and styles, with varying levels of emotional depth and coherence. The conversation touches on notable works such as Mussolini's war diary and Saddam Hussein's romantic novel 'Zabiba and the King,' which reveal insights into dictatorship and personal vulnerabilities. The episode highlights the intricate relationship between dictatorial power and literature, as well as the enduring legacies of these controversial figures.

Pinochet consolidates control, creating a terrifying new secret police force. The dictator’s war on communism extends abroad, as Chile joins Operation Condor. But how long can Pinochet’s global allies allow him to go unchecked? And will the families of the murdered and the disappeared ever find justice? A Noiser production,

In this concluding episode of Real Dictators' series on Augusto Pinochet, we explore the ruthlessness of his regime through the establishment of the National Intelligence Directorate (DINA), supported by the CIA, to instill terror and suppress dissent. The episode highlights the shift to neoliberal economic policies under the influence of the Chicago Boys, yielding initial growth but increasing inequality. Key events, such as Operation Condor, emphasize Pinochet's international ambitions, culminating in the assassination of Orlando Letelier. The political landscape shifts as citizens unite against Pinochet’s regime, leading to his ousting in the 1988 referendum despite his attempts to maintain control with constitutional changes and an amnesty law. Ultimately, although he faced charges years later, Pinochet evaded justice and passed away in 2006, leaving families of the disappeared without closure.

September 11th, 1973. The touchpaper is lit. President Allende realises he’s been double-crossed. Pinochet keeps his cards close to his chest. A loyal naval admiral finds his cars sabotaged and his phone lines cut. And as Allende and his bodyguards prepare to defend the palace, the first soldiers take to

In 'Pinochet Part 2: The Caravan of Death', the podcast explores the events leading up to and following the military coup on September 11, 1973, in Chile. President Salvador Allende faces betrayal from General Pinochet, who secretly orchestrates the coup while assuring Allende of his protection. Amidst the violence, Allende broadcasts a plea for democracy but ultimately takes his own life as soldiers storm La Moneda. The subsequent repression sees his supporters rounded up, tortured, and murdered in a systematic campaign orchestrated by the Pinochet regime, notably through the infamous 'Caravan of Death', instilling fear throughout Chile and marking the tragic end of democracy for 17 years.

We travel to South America. In September 1973, Augusto Pinochet seizes power in Chile following a coup d’état. The aim is to topple the country’s socialist president. And it succeeds. But how does Pinochet - a seemingly unremarkable army man - come to lead the notorious uprising? And after that,

In this episode of 'Real Dictators,' we explore the arrest of Augusto Pinochet in London on October 15, 1998, for crimes against humanity. The narrative traces his rise from a conservative military officer to the dictator of Chile after the 1973 coup d'état that overthrew President Salvador Allende. Key themes include Pinochet's connections with influential figures, his ideological development shaped by his experiences, and the intricate political landscape that facilitated his rise. The episode sheds light on the factors leading to Allende's election and the U.S. interventions aimed at destabilizing his government, setting the groundwork for Pinochet's authoritarian regime that lasted for 17 years.

This is a taster episode of a brand-new podcast from the Noiser network. Host Paul McGann follows the real people involved in the D-Day landings. It’s 1944 and Europe is in the grip of the Nazi war machine. But on the shores of Great Britain, thousands of men and women

This introductory episode of 'D-Day: The Tide Turns' by NOISER examines the meticulous planning and execution of the D-Day invasion during World War II. With a focus on strategic deception, particularly Operation Fortitude, the episode reveals how Allied forces misled the Germans about the true landing site in Normandy. Key historical figures, including Winston Churchill and Franklin D. Roosevelt, played critical roles in the logistics and intelligence gathering required for the largest seaborne invasion in history. The episode illustrates how double agents and fabricated narratives were employed to protect Allied strategies as tensions mounted ahead of the pivotal invasion on June 6, 1944.

In the final part of the Cromwell story, outrage at the King’s execution leads Ironsides to wage war on Scotland and, notoriously, Ireland. Insurgencies over, he’ll become Lord Protector - king in all but name. But as discontent continues to spread, the unthinkable will once again become possible. The Stuart

In the final part of the Oliver Cromwell series, the podcast examines the aftermath of King Charles I's execution and the establishment of the Commonwealth. It details Cromwell's military campaigns in Ireland and Scotland, highlighting the brutal sieges at Drogheda and Wexford and their enduring impact on Irish history. As Cromwell becomes Lord Protector, internal discontent grows, and tensions surge over the possibility of restoring the Stuart monarchy. The episode culminates in reflections on Cromwell's complex legacy as a military leader and political figure in a tumultuous period of British governance.

With the King in captivity, both sides seek a settlement. But when Charles escapes, all trust is broken. For Cromwell there is only one course of action - a solution that will plunge the British Isles into unknown territory. His Majesty must be put on trial… A Noiser production, written