Behind the Bastards Part Two: Antonio Salazar: The Smartest Fascist Dictator
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Jul 17, 2025 
In this engaging conversation, guest Jeff May, a podcast host and YouTube personality, dives into the fraught legacy of Antonio Salazar, the Portuguese dictator. They explore Salazar's economic policies that favored the wealthy while oppressing the poor, his strategic neutrality during WWII, and his brutal repression tactics supported by the CIA. The discussion reveals the absurdities of his regime, the strained colonial efforts in Africa, and the eventual collapse of his dictatorship during the Carnation Revolution, all laced with dark humor and sharp insights.
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Salazar Keeps Spain Neutral
- Salazar helped keep Franco neutral during World War II through negotiations, often with British support.
- This prevented Spain from joining the Axis and protected Portugal's interests in a dangerous time.
Profiting from Both Sides in WWII
- Portugal profited from trading with both Axis and Allies in WWII while maintaining neutrality.
- Salazar grew visibly older and stressed during wartime negotiations, reflecting the difficult balancing act.
Postwar Repression and CIA Training
- After WWII, Salazar tightened political repression using Nazi-inspired laws and techniques.
- The CIA trained his secret police in interrogation methods, merging Nazi and American practices.