The Dictator

Omar Aladeen, the dictator of the Republic of Wadiya, dies after about twenty years in power. His son, Admiral-General Haffaz Aladeen, is named his successor and immediately begins consolidating control. The regime continues to enforce a brutal, isolationist rule, while Aladeen’s influence over the people grows.

The regime tightens its grip on society: female bodyguards surround the dictator, sponsorship of terrorism persists, and the Wadiyan dictionary is rewritten to replace many words with 'Aladeen'. He accelerates development of nuclear weapons and vows to block oil-field sales to foreign interests. International pressure from the UN escalates as a possible intervention looms.

With UN intervention a real possibility, Aladeen travels to New York City's UN Headquarters to face the Security Council. He aims to project confidence and authority while deflecting calls for reform back home. The world watches as a showdown over Wadiya's regime approaches.

Tamir Mafraad, Omar's brother who was passed over as successor, schemes to replace Aladeen with a dim-witted decoy. He plans to push through a document democratizing Wadiya and opening oil fields to foreign interests, manipulating events from behind the scenes. The plan hinges on deceiving the international audience and crushing any remaining resistance.

Clayton, the hitman hired to eliminate Aladeen, accidentally burns himself to death during a failed torture. Aladeen escapes in the confusion, and Tamir believes the dictator is dead after discovering Clayton’s burnt corpse. Aladeen’s beard has been shaved off, rendering him nearly unrecognizable.

Disguised in civilian clothes, Aladeen wanders New York City under the alias Allison Burgers. He meets Zoey, a human rights activist who offers him a job at her progressive cooperative, which he initially refuses. He continues to maneuver through the city, seeking a path back to real power.

Nadal, the former head of Wadiya’s nuclear program, reveals that those ordered to be executed were exiled to the United States instead of killed, showing a local resistance has formed. He agrees to help Aladeen regain control on the condition that Aladeen restores his position as nuclear-program chief. Aladeen at least accepts Zoey’s job offer, joining her while plotting his return.

Aladeen’s true identity nearly leaks out as a waiter and others in Little Wadiya accuse him of being an Aladeen sympathizer. Nadal helps him survive the increasingly hostile environment and conceives a plan to restore his power. The exile community in New York becomes a key stage for his comeback.

Aladeen accepts Zoey’s job offer and grows closer to her while trying to salvage her struggling business. He imposes strict schedules and begins to cultivate a personality cult around Zoey to exert control, even as he aids her efforts to succeed. The romantic tension intensifies as his political ambitions evolve.

Aladeen decides to reveal his true self to Zoey, but she cannot love a brutal dictator. The relationship strains as Zoey’s beliefs clash with his past actions, complicating his plan to democratize Wadiya. He rethinks how to gain legitimacy without sacrificing his affection for her.

With a new beard obtained from a corpse, Aladeen ziplines into the hotel where the signing is to take place. Efawadh, who has been misled by Tamir, saves Aladeen by taking a blow to the head in the process. The dramatic moment foils Tamir's plan and signals Aladeen's renewed grip on power.

At the signing night, Aladeen tears up Tamir’s document before the media and delivers an impassioned defense of strong leadership. He then reveals his love for Zoey and vows to democratize Wadiya and open the oil fields for the people’s benefit. Tamir fires his weapon, but Efawadh intervenes and Tamir is arrested.

Tamir’s assassination attempt backfires as Efawadh sacrifices himself to save Aladeen, and Tamir is arrested in front of the stunned audience. The regime’s coup attempt collapses and Aladeen’s control solidifies under public spectacle. The incident marks a turning point that clears the way for his reformist promises.

Exactly one year after independence, Wadiya holds its first democratic elections, but the results are rigged in Aladeen’s favor. He earns the title 'President-Prime Minister' and uses tanks to herd voters, ensuring his continued grip on power. Nadal is reinstated, Zoey reveals she is pregnant, and the couple’s power-broker partnership expands.

Aladeen marries Zoey and learns she is pregnant, signaling a personal stake in the new regime. He remains vigilant about democratic appearances while delivering a blend of reform and repression, a satire on dictatorship. A controversial remark about whether the child will be a boy or an abortion exposes the brutality underlying his regime and the complex balance of power and affection.