

S5 Episode 8 - "Third World War"
15 snips Jan 31, 2025
Chilling discoveries by Vietnamese photojournalists reveal the horrors of war in Phnom Penh. Survivor testimonies shed light on the brutal history of S-21 prison, where countless endured unimaginable torture. The podcast delves into the escalating conflict between the Khmer Rouge and Vietnam, exploring geopolitical strategies and the persecution of ethnic minorities. Additionally, it examines the transformation of S-21’s warden from schoolteacher to tyrant. Ultimately, it recounts Vietnam's military incursion leading to the fall of the Khmer Rouge, forever changing Cambodia.
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A Child's Nightmare
- Norn Chan Fall, a survivor of the Khmer Rouge's S-21 prison, was imprisoned at age nine.
- His family was lured with a lie about seeing his father, who was already dead.
Manufactured Enemy
- The Khmer Rouge's disastrous agricultural policies led to widespread famine.
- They blamed external enemies like Vietnam for their failures, instigating conflict.
Symbolic Attack
- On April 30, 1977, the Khmer Rouge attacked Vietnamese villages, killing civilians.
- The date was symbolic, coinciding with Vietnam's liberation anniversary.