Babrak Karmal vs Grigory Zinoviev

Babrak Karmal was installed as President of Afghanistan by the Soviet Union in December 1979, following the Soviet invasion. He led the Democratic Republic of Afghanistan during the early years of the Soviet-Afghan War, implementing unpopular reforms and relying on Soviet military support.

Karmal was replaced as General Secretary of the People's Democratic Party by Mohammad Najibullah in May 1986, under Soviet pressure. He was effectively sidelined, though he remained in Afghanistan until his death. This marked the end of his direct political influence.

Babrak Karmal died in Moscow in 1996, reportedly from liver cancer. He had been living in exile in the Soviet Union since his removal from power. His death went largely unnoticed in Afghanistan, where the civil war was raging.

Zinoviev became the first chairman of the Communist International (Comintern) in March 1919. He directed the organization's efforts to spread world revolution, coordinating communist parties globally and advocating for immediate uprisings in Europe.

Zinoviev, along with Kamenev, formed the 'United Opposition' against Stalin's growing power within the Communist Party. They criticized Stalin's policy of 'Socialism in One Country' and advocated for rapid industrialization and world revolution, but were defeated at the 14th Party Congress.

Following the defeat of the United Opposition, Zinoviev was expelled from the Communist Party in December 1927. He was later readmitted after recanting his views, but his political influence was permanently destroyed, marking a key step in Stalin's consolidation of power.

Zinoviev was tried in the first Moscow Show Trial in August 1936, accused of plotting to assassinate Stalin and other leaders. He was found guilty and executed on August 25, 1936, becoming one of the first high-profile Old Bolsheviks purged by Stalin.