Joseph Stalin

98-year-old James Benet left the United States in his 20s to fight on the Republican side of the Spanish Civil War. The Republicans were backed not only by foreigners, like Benet, but also by Mexico and the Soviet Union. After his side lost, Benet came back to a United States where he was immediately viewed as a communist.

Author Anthony Marra talks with anchor Marco Werman about his debut novel “A Constellation of Vital Phenomena.” Marra’s story is set in modern Chechnya and delves into the moral dilemmas facing strangers thrown together in war.

Soviet leader Joseph Stalin was one of the most murderous dictators of the 20th century. And yet, 60 years after his death, he remains popular in some former Soviet republics – especially in his own nation of Georgia.

James Benét was in his 20s when he left the US to go fight the fascists in Spain’s Civil War. He became part of a volunteer force of Americans known as the Abraham Lincoln Brigade.

Near Gorky Park, lies a grassy area full of statues of former Soviet leaders. After the fall of Communism, they’re propped up again for all to see without explanations of their crimes. Jessica Golloher has the details from Moscow.