The best statesmen in today's world.

[Geilinor]

Too soon to tell with him.

Agreed.

But who's Xi Jingpeng? Ugh, I feel like he just put in some stereotypical Chinese-sounding name since he couldn't help remembering it.

I see, he spelled it wrong.

[Geilinor]

You're a bit late for that. (If we're counting only people currently in power.) She lost the premiership a few weeks ago. Kevin Rudd is PM of Australia now.

Couldn't help but imagine him as a combination of Kevin James and Paul Rudd.

I see Kevin Rudd is back.

[Imperial Nilfgaard]

HAHAHAHAHA

Thinking that the USA and Canada should merge does not make the Canadian government illegitimate. I think the EU countries should unify into one country, that doesn't make their current government illegitimate.

Do you realize we would lose power at the UN had this to happen, right?

Creating various Western small nation states in the current countries that are geopolitically less relevant is the way to go!

We'd lose power in the UN? Oh noes, what will we ever do without that one extra vote in the GA. It's not like those resolutions really matter anyway. The UNSC is all that matters and the US is a permanent member.

[Arglorand]

Wow, the poll does indeed have some pretty terrible options.

... Since I can't think of any reasonable options, I'mma go with someone very much like a lot of people on that list - Lukashenko. That total and absolute failure at running a country he's got down there is truly impressive and must take some effort.

[Imperial Nilfgaard]

Wow, the poll does indeed have some pretty terrible options.

... Since I can't think of any reasonable options, I'mma go with someone very much like a lot of people on that list - Lukashenko. That total and absolute failure at running a country he's got down there is truly impressive and must take some effort.

Lukashenko is a wise and bold leader. Belarus has done remarkably well considering the pressures that the corrupt EU places on it.

[Agritum]

Wow, the poll does indeed have some pretty terrible options.

... Since I can't think of any reasonable options, I'mma go with someone very much like a lot of people on that list - Lukashenko. That total and absolute failure at running a country he's got down there is truly impressive and must take some effort.

Lukashenko is a wise and bold leader. Belarus has done remarkably well considering the pressures that the corrupt EU places on it.

Isn't he Russia-backed, though?

[Imperial Nilfgaard]

Lukashenko is a wise and bold leader. Belarus has done remarkably well considering the pressures that the corrupt EU places on it.

Isn't he Russia-backed, though?

Russia doesn't shun him for no reason like the EU so yes you could say they are on good terms.

[Agritum]

Isn't he Russia-backed, though?

Russia doesn't shun him for no reason like the EU so yes you could say they are on good terms.

Well, I'd guess that the Russia backing is quite an important factor for why Belorussia hasn't crumpled.

Sort of like North Korea and China.

[Arglorand]

Lukashenko is a wise and bold leader. Belarus has done remarkably well considering the pressures that the corrupt EU places on it.

Isn't he Russia-backed, though?

No. He occasionally tolerates working with Russia, but more often than not Russia views him as a pest.

And he's really not good at leading his country at all. It is quite possibly the bleakest place in Europe and I'm rather irritated at what he has done to my ancestral home. They have a freaking milk deficit in Minsk and a paper deficit in Brest.

[Imperial Nilfgaard]

Russia doesn't shun him for no reason like the EU so yes you could say they are on good terms.

Well, I'd guess that the Russia backing is quite an important factor for why Belorussia hasn't crumpled.

Sort of like North Korea and China.

He isn't propped up by Putin, if thats what your implying. They are friends this is all.

[Agritum]

Well, I'd guess that the Russia backing is quite an important factor for why Belorussia hasn't crumpled.

Sort of like North Korea and China.

He isn't propped up by Putin, if thats what your implying. They are friends this is all.

Not implying that. I'm just saying that it's handy to still have friendly relationships with a major power, even when almost everyone in the continent hates you.

[Arglorand]

Well, I'd guess that the Russia backing is quite an important factor for why Belorussia hasn't crumpled.

Sort of like North Korea and China.

He isn't propped up by Putin, if thats what your implying. They are friends this is all.

Until Lukashenko starts asking for cheaper oil prices.

[Imperial Nilfgaard]

He isn't propped up by Putin, if thats what your implying. They are friends this is all.

Not implying that. I'm just saying that it's handy to still have friendly relationships with a major power, even when almost everyone in the continent hates you.

This is true. When looking for allies it is usually better to befriend a great power rather then a coalition of weaker states.

[Agritum]

Not implying that. I'm just saying that it's handy to still have friendly relationships with a major power, even when almost everyone in the continent hates you.

This is true. When looking for allies it is usually better to befriend a great power rather then a coalition of weaker states.

It's kinda one of the reasons for why NK is still around.

[Imperial Nilfgaard]

This is true. When looking for allies it is usually better to befriend a great power rather then a coalition of weaker states.

It's kinda one of the reasons for why NK is still around.

And Syria, Israel, Azerbaijan (friends w Turkey), Taiwan

[Melkor Unchained]

I gotta go with Putin and maybe Merkel, although the latter probably owes her success more to German economic conditions than her actual political acumen. I think Putin handled the Snowden situation superbly, and his ability to maintain his hold on power over a nation of that size and history is impressive.

Some of these names I admit I'm not familiar with, but I don't think any of them are really in Putin's league. His Daes Dae'mar is probably the best we've seen from a visible public official since Kissinger.

[Agritum]

It's kinda one of the reasons for why NK is still around.

And Syria, Israel, Azerbaijan (friends w Turkey), Taiwan

Well, yeah. Though Israel benefits from a larger base of supporters than the other nations you listed.

[Malfyria]

They are both among the best, in my not so humble opinion.

Why? They're both totalitarian pricks.

Statesmanship is not about being totalitarian or democratic, statesmanship is the art of mastering the business of managing a nation effectively.Whether or not this is done by a representative of
the people is irrelevant.

I personally think Putin is the best politician out of that list (though that is not saying a agree or disagree with him), he is certainly good at manipulating both public and international opinion
to his own interests.

[Imperial Nilfgaard]

Why? They're both totalitarian pricks.

Statesmanship is not about being totalitarian or democratic, statesmanship is the art of mastering the business of managing a nation effectively.Whether or not this is done by a representative of
the people is irrelevant.

I personally think Putin is the best politician out of that list (though that is not saying a agree or disagree with him), he is certainly good at manipulating both public and international opinion
to his own interests.

Yes. He certainly is.

[Maurepas]

Where is Dear Leader, Kim Jong-Un?

[Geilinor]

I'm not the largest fan of any of the people listed in the poll. Obama is alright, but he's been supporting Bush-style national security and intelligence policy recently.

[Death Metal]

Statesmen don't have to be current leaders, so I'm going with Bill Clinton.

[Maurepas]

Statesmen don't have to be current leaders, so I'm going with Bill Clinton.

Well if that's the case, and based upon the criteria presented in this thread, I'm going with Louis XIV. The Sun King's reign and scope of power is the longest in European history.

[Rawrckia]

Putin is good, Merkel is good, Assad is good.

Why Obama and Cameron are on there is beyond me lol

[Olivaero]

Barack Obama. Don't agree with him politically really but his (relatively) hands off stance with regards to foreign policy whilst still engaging in n intervention with foreign countries taking the lead is commendable and his push towards automated warfare is very shrewd as it allows the US to engage in warfare without the bodies arriving at Dover so much. Also considering the country he has to lead.... Fucking props to him.