Chapter
The Absurdity of Turkmenistan's Dictatorship
27:20 - 33:45 (06:24)
The former ruler of Turkmenistan had a relatively normal reign of banning political parties and utilizing a secret police. However, he went to extremes such as building countless statues and adding a new statue on top of the neutrality arch after his heart surgery.
Clips
After Turkmenistan's dictator, Saparmurat Niyazov, underwent heart surgery, he started treating his nation like an extension of himself, ordering cabinet members and the public to stop smoking and enacting stringent neutrality policies.
27:20 - 28:32 (01:12)
Summary
After Turkmenistan's dictator, Saparmurat Niyazov, underwent heart surgery, he started treating his nation like an extension of himself, ordering cabinet members and the public to stop smoking and enacting stringent neutrality policies.
ChapterThe Absurdity of Turkmenistan's Dictatorship
EpisodePart One: Turkmenbashi: The Dictator Who Declared Himself Jesus
PodcastBehind the Bastards
The former president of Turkmenistan, Turkmenbashi, erected a 22 foot tall golden statue of himself wearing Superman's cape, and added another statue on top of the neutrality arch.
28:32 - 30:49 (02:16)
Summary
The former president of Turkmenistan, Turkmenbashi, erected a 22 foot tall golden statue of himself wearing Superman's cape, and added another statue on top of the neutrality arch. He also changed Turkmenistan's national anthem to the independent neutral Turkmenistan state anthem.
ChapterThe Absurdity of Turkmenistan's Dictatorship
EpisodePart One: Turkmenbashi: The Dictator Who Declared Himself Jesus
PodcastBehind the Bastards
Turkmenistan's leader promised to amend the Constitution to give power to Parliament instead of himself, but reneged on that promise until pressured by the US State Department's annual report on human rights.
30:49 - 32:18 (01:28)
Summary
Turkmenistan's leader promised to amend the Constitution to give power to Parliament instead of himself, but reneged on that promise until pressured by the US State Department's annual report on human rights.
ChapterThe Absurdity of Turkmenistan's Dictatorship
EpisodePart One: Turkmenbashi: The Dictator Who Declared Himself Jesus
PodcastBehind the Bastards
Neasov visited the US and spoke about bringing democracy to his country.
32:18 - 33:45 (01:27)
Summary
Neasov visited the US and spoke about bringing democracy to his country. Despite concerns over his poor record on post-Soviet reform, the US government prioritized national economic interests.