Lin Biao vs Mohamed Mediène

Lin Biao commanded the 115th Division of the Eighth Route Army to victory at the Battle of Pingxingguan. This was the first major Chinese victory over the Japanese in the Second Sino-Japanese War, boosting Communist prestige.

Lin Biao commanded the Fourth Field Army, which played a decisive role in the Chinese Civil War. His forces captured Manchuria, then swept south to take Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou, securing Communist victory.

Lin Biao was officially designated as Mao Zedong's successor in the Communist Party constitution. He was named Vice Chairman and held immense power during the Cultural Revolution.

Lin Biao died when his plane crashed in Mongolia after an alleged failed coup attempt against Mao Zedong. His death ended the Lin Biao incident, a major political crisis that led to a purge of his supporters.

Mediène, known as Toufik, was appointed head of the Department of Intelligence and Security (DRS) in 1990. He became the most powerful figure in Algeria, controlling intelligence and security services for over two decades.

Mediène was a key architect of the military's crackdown on Islamists after the 1992 election cancellation. The DRS under his leadership was accused of involvement in massacres and disappearances, though he denied direct responsibility.

Mediène was dismissed in 2015 by President Bouteflika, who dismantled the DRS and reduced its powers. The move ended Toufik's 25-year reign as intelligence chief, marking a significant shift in Algeria's political landscape.