Commemorating the beginning of WW2

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This week’s podcast explores clashing interpretations of what went wrong in 1939. We talk to Holocaust survivors too. And Marco Werman has a musical footnote to our coverage of the history and politics of the African country of Gabon.

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Omar Bongo of Gabon

Africa’s longest-serving leader — Omar Bongo of Gabon — died this week. Anchor Marco Werman looks at the leaders who now move up on the list of longest reign over a country. Listen

Gabon’s Omar Bongo

Africa’s longest-serving leader died this week. Omar Bongo ruled for more than four decades and the small country of Gabon must now figure out how to go on without him. He’s credited with Gabon’s relatively stability and yet tainted by all-too-familiar allegations of corruption and abuse. Listen