Crossword Genius

Dry American statesman who led a coup (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

brutus

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'statesman who led a coup' is the definition.
'Brutus' can be an answer for 'statesman'. I am not certain of the rest of the definition.

'dry american' is the wordplay.
'dry' becomes 'brut' (type of wine).
'american' becomes 'us' (abbreviation for United States).
'brut'+'us'='BRUTUS'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for brutus that I've seen before include "associate of 24?" , "Conspirator in the murder of Julius Caesar" , "One of Julius Caesar's assassins" , "One of Caesar's killers" , "Honourable Roman" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
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