The Second World War was an incredibly complex conflict, fought on multiple fronts between various aggressors. It's difficult to pinpoint an individual moment and describe it as the conclusive "turning point". But more historians will point to the Battle of Stalingrad than any other single event as the moment when the probabilities shifted, and the outcome of the war moved towards a Nazi defeat.  In this episode, we'll describe Stalin's role in the war - including the brutality with which he treated his own soldiers. Some slight concessions may have been made to fighting for patriotism rather than Communism in the "Great Patriotic War" - but the Communists would deem who was sufficiently patriotic.  You can follow us on Twitter @autocracynow, our sister show @physicspod, and you can download all the archival episodes of both on www.autocracynow.libsyn.com or www.physicspodcast.com . On the latter site, you'll find the option to donate to the show if you want to help us out, or contact with any questions, comments, or concerns.