Hindsight

Sani Abacha is often referred to as the worst and most corrupt ruler in modern Nigerian history. He established a reputation as someone who was good at planning coups. A kingmaker of sorts. But none was more successful, and subsequently destructive, as his own takeover for power.  In hindsight, how did no one see it coming? Support the show: https://www.aljazeera.com/podcasts/hindsight/

Ulrike Meinhof - one half of the infamous Baader-Meinhof gang that robbed, bombed, kidnapped and killed their way across Germany in the early 1970s. In hindsight, was she a deranged terrorist who took her own life to evade justice, or a misunderstood victim of a tumultuous, mid-20th century Europe?Support the show: https://www.aljazeera.com/podcasts/hindsight/

In the West, Pol Pot is synonymous with Cambodia’s infamous “Khmer Rouge”.  One of the most brutal dictatorships of the 20th Century. In hindsight, was this a case of one man’s bloodthirsty hunger for power, or the unravelling of a mission for an agrarian utopia? Support the show: https://www.aljazeera.com/podcasts/hindsight/

Augusto Pinochet ruled Chile for 17 years after a coup in 1973.  Many who knew him in the years before considered him unremarkable. In hindsight, Pinochet was an accomplished opportunist who seized absolute power, then bullied his way into keeping it.  Support the show: https://www.aljazeera.com/podcasts/hindsight/

Strong,  determined, cultured and desperate for true love.  Catherine the Great was Russia's longest ruling female leader. She was also its last. In hindsight, her rise to power was no accident.Support the show: https://www.aljazeera.com/podcasts/hindsight/

Catherine the Great, Augusto Pinochet, Ulrike Meinhof, Pol Pot, Sani Abacha and Rosa Parks. What do they have to say in season 4 of Hindsight? Actor Charles Dance narrates.  We begin with Catherine the Great on August 30.Support the show: https://www.aljazeera.com/podcasts/hindsight/

Polonium for Poland and Radium for the rays. Marie Curie was a Pole and scientist through and through. But as a woman in the early 20th century, her contributions in discovering two elements nearly went unknown. Support the show: https://www.aljazeera.com/podcasts/hindsight/

Tokyo Rose became a household name in post-World War II United States. But the woman behind the nickname would spend her entire adult life distancing herself from the legend. Iva Toguri, an American of Japanese heritage was caught between two warring worlds and ultimately convicted of treason.Support the show: https://www.aljazeera.com/podcasts/hindsight/

Charming, gregarious, ready to please. These are the disarming traits of one of Africa’s most violent dictators. For eight years, Idi Amin ruled Uganda with terrifying consequences. Switching alliances became a game and the former boxing champion liked to play. *Some scenes might be disturbing to some listeners. Support the show: https://www.aljazeera.com/podcasts/hindsight/

Evita Jai, an actress known for her portrayal of Indira Gandhi, delves into the extraordinary life of India's first female prime minister. She discusses Gandhi's political ascent, shaped by her legacy and personal struggles, emphasizing her drive for self-determination. The conversation highlights pivotal moments such as the Bangladesh liberation, the dramatic declaration of a state of emergency, and the turmoil of Operation Blue Star. Jai reflects on the complex legacy of Gandhi, marked by resilience and controversy, revealing the human side behind the political icon.