Tyrants love to seem untouchable, but history proves otherwise. From backstabbing advisors to defiant soldiers and fearless exiles, cracks always start to show—and when dictators fall, the ripple effects can reshape a nation for decades.

Political scientist Marcel Dirsus, joined by Brian Klaas, author of The Despot’s Accomplice, shares gripping stories from coup leaders, dissidents, and activists to reveal the hidden cracks that bring authoritarian regimes crashing down—and the fragile paths nations must navigate in the aftermath.

But this isn’t just about the past. With democracy under strain from rising extremism and eroding institutions, Dirsus offers a sharp, engaging look at how power shifts, how resistance grows, and how nations can break free from tyranny—or fall right back into it.

Speakers:

Dr. Marcel Dirsus is a political scientist and author of How Tyrants Fall: And How Nations Survive (2024). He writes The Hundred newsletter and is a Non-Resident Fellow at the Institute for Security Policy at Kiel University. His work focuses on regime instability, political violence, and German foreign policy. Dr. Dirsus has advised democratic governments, multinational corporations, NATO, and the OECD. His research has appeared in Foreign Affairs, The New York Times, and The Washington Post. He earned his doctorate at the University of Kiel and holds a master’s from the University of Oxford in Russian & East European Studies.

Dr. Brian Klaas is an Associate Professor in Global Politics at University College London, a contributing writer for The Atlantic, and was named one of the world’s “Top 25 Thinkers” by Prospect Magazine. A leading expert on democracy, authoritarianism, and power, he is the author of five books, including Fluke: Chance, Chaos, and Why Everything We Do Matters (2024). Creator of the award-winning Power Corrupts podcast, downloaded over three million times, Klaas has advised governments, NATO, and the EU. Frequently featured in The Washington Post and on CNN, he combines rigorous research with engaging public commentary.