The deposed despots of recent history

Tunisia

Tyrant:
Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali

Years in Power:
1987–2011

Method of Toppling:
Twitter-fueled youth revolt

The Aftermath:
Whoever thought Washington’s man in Tunis would fall and take the Arab world with him? The former intel chief was a CIA favorite, but his family’s extravagance led to his downfall. The future is far from clear.

Turkmenistan

Tyrant:
Saparmurat Niyazov

Years in Power:
1990–2006

Method of Toppling:
Vicious leaflet campaign
(at least that’s how it began)

The Aftermath:
Few words match a man who renamed January after himself. (He also had a statue fetish, pictured.) Regrettably, his fall hasn’t brought better days: the country hemorrhages gas wealth....