Conflicted: A History Podcast

Adolf Eichmann has been found. In the spring of 1960, Mossad launches a daring operation to kidnap “Ricardo Klement” and smuggle him back to Israel to face judgement.    SOURCES: Aharoni, Zvi. Dietl, Wilhelm. Operation Eichmann: Pursuit and Capture. 1997.  Arendt, Hannah. Eichmann In Jerusalem: A Report on the Banality of Evil. 1963. Bascomb, Neal. Hunting Eichmann: How a Band of Survivors and a Young Spy Agency Chased  Down the World’s Most Notorious Nazi. 2009. Bergman, Ronen. Rise and Kill First: The Secret History of Israel’s Targeted Assassinations. 2018. Charles Rivers Editors. The Mossad. 2019. Charles Rivers Editors. Germany and the Cold War. 2018. Charles Rivers Editors. Israel’s Most Legendary Operations. 2018. Goni, Uki. The Real Odessa: How Nazi War Criminals Escaped Europe. 2003. Fairweather, Jack. The Prosecutor: One Man’s Batlle to Bring Nazis to Justice. 2025. Hourly History. The Nuremberg Trials. 2020.  Lauryssens, Stan. The Eichmann Legacy. 2017. Lipstadt, Deborah. The Eichmann Trial. 2011. MacLean, French. American Hangman: MSGT. John C. Woods. 2019. Roland, Paul. The Nuremberg Trials: The Nazis and Their Crimes Against Humanity. 2010.  Scott-Bauman, Michael. The Shortest History of Israel and Palestine. 2023. Stangneth, Buttina. Eichmann Before Jerusalem: The Unexamined Life of a Mass Murderer. 2014. Stein, Harry. Malkin, Peter. Eichmann In My Hands. 1990.  Steinke, Ronan. Fritz Bauer: The Jewish Prosecutor Who Brought Eichmann and Auschwitz to Trial. 2020.  Thomas, Gordon. The Secret History of the Mossad. 1999.  https://www.npr.org/2019/07/16/740686212/the-doctor-who-helped-israeli-spies-catch-eichmann-but-refused-recognition-for-i Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The hunt for Adolf Eichmann unfolds as a thrilling tale of espionage and moral dilemmas. A West German lawyer uncovers a tip leading to Buenos Aires, where Eichmann lives under the alias Ricardo Clement. The chilling logistics of the Nazi Final Solution and Eichmann's detached role are explored alongside the motivations driving Israel's emergent intelligence agency, Mossad. With the world watching the Nuremberg trials, the pressure mounts on Israeli officials to act decisively against a man who escaped justice for far too long.

In the conclusion of the series, Justinian and Theodora face a cascade of setbacks and disasters. The Empress hatches a plan to destroy John the Cappadocian. Belisarius learns of Antonina’s serial infidelity. A deadly Plague threatens to bring the Byzantine empire to its knees.    SOURCES: Bridge, Antony. Theodora: Portrait in a Byzantine Landscape. 1978. Potter, David. Theodora: Actress, Empress, Saint. 2015. Parnell, David Alan. Belisarius & Antonina: Love and War in the Age of Justinian. 2023. Hughes, Bettany. Istanbul: A Tale of Three Cities. 2017. Sarris, Peter. Justinian: Emperor, Soldier, Saint. 2023. Kaldellis, Anthony. The New Roman Empire: A History of Byzantium. 2023. Cesaretti, Paolo. Theodora: Empress of Byzantium. 2003. Procopius. The Secret History.  Procopius. The Wars of Justinian.  Phillips, Robin. West, Jeff. Who in the World Was The Acrobatic Empress? 2006. Norwich, John Julius. Absolute Monarchs: A History of the Papacy. 2011. Evans, James Allan. The Empress Theodora: Partner of Justinian. 2002.  Holmes, Nick. Justinian’s Empire: Triumph and Tragedy. 2024.  Charles Rivers Editors. Justinian the Great: The Life and Legacy of the Byzantine Emperor. 2014. Captivating History. The Byzantine Empire. 2018 Captivating History. The Vandals. 2018 Dahm, Murray. Combat: Byzantine Cavalryman vs Vandal Warrior. 2023. https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2011/01/03/gods-librarians Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With the Nika Riots behind them, Justinian and Theodora rebuild Constantinople and pursue a bold new agenda for the Byzantine Empire. Belisarius sails to war against the Vandal Kingdom. John the Cappadocian seeks to drive a wedge between the imperial couple.    SOURCES: Bridge, Antony. Theodora: Portrait in a Byzantine Landscape. 1978. Potter, David. Theodora: Actress, Empress, Saint. 2015. Parnell, David Alan. Belisarius & Antonina: Love and War in the Age of Justinian. 2023. Hughes, Bettany. Istanbul: A Tale of Three Cities. 2017. Sarris, Peter. Justinian: Emperor, Soldier, Saint. 2023. Kaldellis, Anthony. The New Roman Empire: A History of Byzantium. 2023. Cesaretti, Paolo. Theodora: Empress of Byzantium. 2003. Procopius. The Secret History.  Procopius. The Wars of Justinian.  Phillips, Robin. West, Jeff. Who in the World Was The Acrobatic Empress? 2006. Norwich, John Julius. Absolute Monarchs: A History of the Papacy. 2011. Evans, James Allan. The Empress Theodora: Partner of Justinian. 2002.  Holmes, Nick. Justinian’s Empire: Triumph and Tragedy. 2024.  Charles Rivers Editors. Justinian the Great: The Life and Legacy of the Byzantine Emperor. 2014. Captivating History. The Byzantine Empire. 2018 Captivating History. The Vandals. 2018 Dahm, Murray. Combat: Byzantine Cavalryman vs Vandal Warrior. 2023. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After being crowned Emperor and Empress of the Byzantine Empire, Justinian and Theodora face their first major test as rulers, the deadly Nika Riots of 532 AD. SOURCES:Bridge, Antony. Theodora: Portrait in a Byzantine Landscape.Potter, David. Theodora: Actress, Empress, Saint. Parnell, David Alan. Belisarius & Antonina: Love and War in the Age of JustinianHughes, Bettany. Istanbul: A Tale of Three Cities. Sarris, Peter. Justinian: Emperor, Soldier, Saint. Cesaretti, Paolo. Theodora: Empress of Byzantium.Procopius. The Secret History. Phillips, Robin. West, Jeff. Who in the World Was The Acrobatic Empress? Norwich, John Julius. Absolute Monarchs: A History of the PapacyEvans, James Allan. The Empress Theodora: Partner of Justinian. Holmes, Nick. Justinian’s Empire: Triumph and TragedyCharles Rivers Editors. Justinian the Great: The Life and Legacy of the Byzantine Emperor.Captivating History. The Byzantine Empire. 2018 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

From 527 to 565 AD, Emperor Justinian I and his Empress Theodora ruled over the Byzantine Empire in Constantinople. Together, they reshaped the Mediterranean world, weathering political upheaval, wars of conquest, and an outbreak of bubonic plague. In this first installment of a multi-part series, we explore the early years of New Rome’s greatest power couple. Rising from a disreputable background in the brothels of Constantinople, the actress-turned-informant Theodora catches the eye of Prince Justinian, heir to the Byzantine throne...SOURCES:Bridge, Antony. Theodora: Portrait in a Byzantine Landscape.Potter, David. Theodora: Actress, Empress, Saint. Parnell, David Alan. Belisarius & Antonina: Love and War in the Age of JustinianHughes, Bettany. Istanbul: A Tale of Three Cities. Sarris, Peter. Justinian: Emperor, Soldier, Saint. Cesaretti, Paolo. Theodora: Empress of Byzantium.Procopius. The Secret History. Phillips, Robin. West, Jeff. Who in the World Was The Acrobatic Empress? Norwich, John Julius. Absolute Monarchs: A History of the PapacyEvans, James Allan. The Empress Theodora: Partner of Justinian. Holmes, Nick. Justinian’s Empire: Triumph and TragedyCharles Rivers Editors. Justinian the Great: The Life and Legacy of the Byzantine Emperor.Captivating History. The Byzantine Empire. 2018 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The tumultuous 1971 war between India and Pakistan is explored, highlighting India's race to capture Dacca. Delve into the psychological toll on Sheikh Mujibur Rahman during his long imprisonment. Witness India's strategic naval operations and Nixon's diplomatic maneuvering at the UN. The liberation of Bangladesh unfolds amidst moral dilemmas and intense military action. The episode concludes with Mujib's triumphant return and the profound human cost of the conflict, setting the stage for new political dynamics in South Asia.

As Yahya Khan’s crackdown in East Pakistan sparks a refugee crisis and a guerilla insurgency, the neighboring nation of India, led by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, must decide how to respond. Meanwhile, President Richard Nixon and Henry Kissinger pursue secret talks with Communist China. In Madison Square Garden, musicians George Harrison and Ravi Shankar organize a massive charity concert for the people of Bangladesh. SOURCES:Bass, Gary K. The Blood Telegram: Nixon, Kissinger, and a Forgotten Genocide. 2013.Bennet-Jones, Own. The Bhutto Dynasty. 2020.Carney, Scott. Miklian, Jason. The Vortex: A True Story of History’s Deadliest Storm, an Unspeakable War, and Liberation. 2022.Chang, Jung. Halliday, Jon. Mao: The Unknown Story. 2005.Frank, Katherine. Indira: The Life of Indira Nehru Gandhi. 2001.Gewen, Barry. The Inevitability of Tragedy: Henry Kissinger and his World. 2020.Hiro, Dilip. The Longest August: The Unflinching Rivalry Between India and Pakistan. 2015.Hitchens, Christopher. The Trial of Henry Kissinger. 2001.Hoodbhoy, Pervez. Pakistan: Origins, Identity and Future. 2023.Jalal, Ayesha. The Struggle for Pakistan. 2014.James, Lawrence. Raj: The Making and Unmaking of British India. 1997.Jayakar, Pupul. Indira Gandhi: A Biography. 1975.Khosa, Faisal. The Making of Martyrs in India, Pakistan & Bangladesh. 2021.K.S. Nair. December In Dacca. 2022.Keay, John. India: A History. 2000.Mookherjee, Nayanika. The Spectral Wound. 2015.Raghavan, Srinath. 1971: A Global History of the Creation of Bangladesh. 2013.Rose, Leo. Sisson, Richard. War and Secession. Pakistan, India, and the Creation of Bangladesh. 1990.Saikia, Yasmin. Women, War, and the Making of Bangladesh. 2011.Schendel, Willem van. A History of Bangladesh. 2009.Schwartz, Thomas Alan. Henry Kissinger and American Power. 2020.Sengupta, Nitish. Land of Two Rivers: A History of Bengal. 2011.Tudda, Chris. A Cold War Turning Point: Nixon and China, 1969-1972. 2012.Walsh, Declan. The Nine Lives of Pakistan. 2020.Zakaria, Anam. 1971: A People’s History from Bangladesh, Pakistan, and India. 2019. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join me for a special featured episode of BEEF, a scripted podcast narrated by award-winning host Bridget Todd. This episode tells the story of explorers Sir Richard Burton and Captain John Hanning Speke as they face unimaginable dangers, and their own divisiveness, while searching for the source of the Nile River. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On March 25, 1971, a brutal military crackdown unfolds in East Pakistan, launching a dark chapter in its history. Archer Blood, an American diplomat in Dacca, documents the horrifying violence and attempts to prompt U.S. intervention. Meanwhile, Nixon and Kissinger weigh the political implications of action while secretly pursuing a diplomatic thaw with China. The chilling reality of 'selective genocide' is revealed, sparking internal debates within the U.S. government. The struggle for independence continues as the tension escalates.