Blog
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Who Was Lech Walesa? From Solidarity to Poland’s Economic Shock Therapy
Who Was Lech Walesa? Lech Wałęsa was a Polish electrician, trade-union leader and political activist who became the face of Solidarity, the independent workers’ movement that challenged Poland’s communist government in the 1980s. Awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1983, Wałęsa helped lead negotiations that culminated in Poland’s landmark 1989 elections, which broke the Communist…
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Dan Mitrione: The American Who Taught Torture in Latin America
So, Who Was Dan Mitrione? Dan Mitrione was an American police officer who became a U.S. government adviser in Latin America during the Cold War, training police forces in Brazil and Uruguay through the USAID Office of Public Safety. But his legacy is far darker than the job title suggests. Mitrione has been accused of…
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August 19 1953: When Iranian Strongmen Joined a CIA Coup
What Happened on August 19, 1953? On August 19 1953, events transpired that changed the course of Iranian history. The events involved Iranian wrestlers marching through Tehran, fomenting chaos as part of a CIA-backed coup. Things started with economic changes and pressure. And they ended with the demise of Prime Minister Mohammad Mossadegh. In 2026,…