The Weirdest Dictator in Modern History

From 1985 to 2006, the nation of Turkmenistan was run by the weirdest dictator in modern history. Saparmurat Niyazov, also known by his self-imposed title Turkmenbashy, built a culture centered around himself when he became the first president of post-Soviet Turkmenistan. It only descended into further absurdity as his reign continued. From banning beards to forcing everyone to study his autobiography, Turkmenbashy created one of the strangest dictatorships in modern history. Join me as we take a look at the laws and customs which made Niyazov’s presidency so bizarre.