Outlandish Schemes by Muammar Gaddafi: The Green Book, Gold Dinar, Female Bodyguards and More
In Gaddafi’s Libya, bizarre schemes from gold-backed currency to female bodyguards revealed the dictator’s unconventional vision for global power.
History
Ruthless Measures of Kim Jong-un: Executions Over Cell Phones, National Starvation and More
While Kim Jong-un executes citizens for owning phones, his brutal regime forces millions to starve as military spending skyrockets.
Authoritarian Oddities of Rafael Trujillo: Mandatory Portraits, Banned Merengue and More
Trujillo’s bizarre dictatorship rules—from mandatory portraits to forbidden music—reveal the eerie depths of Dominican control few understand today.
Unbelievable Policies of Turkmenbashi Niyazov: Renamed Months, Opera Ban and More
Known for renaming months after himself, Turkmenistan’s eccentric dictator Niyazov banned opera and built a gold statue that follows the sun.
Terrifying Tactics of ‘Papa Doc’ Duvalier: Armed Palace Dogs, Vodou Amulets and More
Chilling methods of Haiti’s “Papa Doc” included secret police, supernatural mystique and forced worship—but his most disturbing tactics remain untold.
Brutal Reforms of Pol Pot: Communal Children, Forced Labor Camps and More
Ordinary Cambodians endured unimaginable horrors as Pol Pot’s regime systematically dismantled society, but the darkest truths remain untold.
Propaganda Masterstrokes of Kim Il-sung: Filmmaker Kidnappings, ‘Eternal President’ and More
Gripping tale of North Korea’s founding father reveals how kidnapped filmmakers and strategic censorship created the regime’s most powerful weapon.
Quirky Decrees of Canaan Banana: Banning the Word ‘Banana’ and More
Mugabe’s predecessor Canaan Banana outlawed jokes about his name, but his true legacy contained something far more disturbing.
Colorful Dictates of Mobutu Sese Seko: Leopard-Print Dress Code, Press Censorship and More
Under Mobutu’s flamboyant “authenticity” regime, Zaïrians faced mandatory leopard caps and African names while he secretly indulged in Western luxuries.
Peculiar Acts of Saddam Hussein: Anonymous Novel, Schoolchildren Loyalty Oaths and More
With bizarre loyalty oaths and a mysterious novel, Saddam Hussein’s Iraq operated under peculiar rules that defied logic.
Surreal Decrees of Macías Nguema: Declaring War on Woodpeckers, His Palace Zoo and More
Surreal dictator Macías Nguema waged war on woodpeckers and fed enemies to crocodiles, but his strangest decrees were even more horrifying.
Insane Moves by Emperor Bokassa: $20 Million Coronation, Forced School Uniforms and More
Megalomaniac Bokassa drained his nation’s wealth on a golden coronation while children starved, but his cruelty extended beyond extravagance.
Bizarre Acts of Nicolae Ceaușescu: Abortion Ban, Civic Center Bulldozers, Never-Reused Suits and More
Leading Romania with twisted obsessions, Ceaușescu banned abortions, bulldozed neighborhoods, and demanded fresh suits while citizens starved.
Crazy Things Idi Amin Did: Declaring Himself ‘Conqueror of the British Empire, Expelling South Asians and More
Sadistic dictator Idi Amin’s bizarre antics included outlandish titles and ethnic cleansing, but his eccentric behavior masked something far worse.