19th-Century South America was a dangerous place for new nations. One of these was a small, landlocked, deeply weird country called Paraguay. And in 1864, Paraguay's dictator made some of the worst foreign policy decisions in modern history, kicking off South America's longest and most terrible war.

And you thought your political leaders were bad.

Sources: https://www.unknownsoldierspodcast.com/post/unknown-soldiers-podcast-episodes-47-51-the-paraguayan-war-series-sources

Maps: https://www.unknownsoldierspodcast.com/post/paraguayan-war-maps-finally

Audible Recommendation: https://www.audible.com/pd/The-Pursuit-of-Power-Audiobook/B01MRK05KY?action_code=ASSGB149080119000H&share_location=pdp

Music: "Memories of Argentina" by Mercade, via Pond5.com https://www.pond5.com/royalty-free-music/item/71962407-memories-argentina