From Julius Caesar’s backstabbing demise to Pinochet’s semi-voluntary exit, authoritarian regimes rarely end the way their leaders expect. In this episode of No Tacos for Tyrants, we delve into the rise and fall of history’s most infamous strongmen—how they gained power, how they held onto it, and the often brutal ways they lost it. Whether it’s Napoleon overextending into Russia, Stalin’s death loosening his iron grip, or Idi Amin fleeing into exile, each dictator’s downfall offers a lesson in hubris, power, and the inevitable cracks in their control.

But what about the authoritarians who are still in power? We also look at Putin’s modern-day stranglehold on Russia and America’s own democratic backsliding. Remember: the past may not repeat itself exactly, but it does often rhyme.

If you want to get in touch, hit me at matt@notacosfortyrants.com with comments or thoughts on what you'd like to have covered in future episodes.