Forbes: Putin and Merkel Most Powerful People in the World

European Observer ^ | October 31, 2013 | Valentina Pop

[lbryce]

Russian leader Vladimir Putin has trumped US President Barack Obama as the most powerful man in the world, while German Chancellor Angela Merkel retains her title as the world's most powerful woman, according to a yearly ranking published by Forbes magazine on Wednesday (30 October).

With his signature healthcare legislation under fire, allies outraged over spying and a barely-averted default on US debt, Obama can no longer be seen as the most powerful man in the world, Forbes editors write.

"It appears that President Obama's lame duck period has set in earlier than usual for a two-term president, causing him to drop one notch from the No. 1 spot," they add.

Meanwhile, the ex-KGB strongman is solidifying his power in Russia "and anyone watching the chess match over Syria has a clear idea of the shift in the power towards Putin on the global stage."

With the possibility of prolonging his presidency until 2024 and with a tight control over the country's oil and gas reserves, Putin has little to worry about when confronted with European or US criticism about human rights in his country.

One of his louder critics, but also the leader of a country with lucrative business relations with Russia, is Germany's Merkel - who for the eighth time in the past 10 years is awarded the title of the "most powerful woman in the world."

"The world's most powerful woman is the backbone of the 28-member European Union and carries the fate of the euro on her shoulders. Fresh off a commanding reelection in September 2013, she has served as ­Chancellor of Germany since 2005 - the first woman in the position," Forbes writes.

[lbryce]

Ironic, that Obama is the victim of his own desire to reduce America's power and influence. Certainly as fellow dictators on the world stage, Obama has got to be pathologically envious of Putin being able to parlay his position as Russian leader into prolonging his presidency until 2024 and with a tight control over the country's oil and gas reserves.

Such aspirations certainly gives Obama ideas on how to prolong the Machiavellian designs on his own diminishing power.

[DemforBush]

“Russian leader Vladimir Putin has trumped US President Barack Obama as the most powerful man in the world, while German Chancellor Angela Merkel retains her title as the world’s most powerful woman”

Clearly, this article is insensitive towards the 51% of the world population that is LGBTQ by not including the most powerful Trans-gendered born male-but-identifies as a woman, and woman-who-identifies-as-a-man.

/sarc but probably going to be an actual type criticism in the not too distant future.

[Doogle]

little boy king falls to third.....in two weeks

[KosmicKitty]

BO - not so much

[babygene]

I think if Putin had ran against the mulatto guy with the big ears and the Pu$$y instead of Romney, he would have been our president now...

[depressed in 06]

dumBO laughing stock.

[SkyDancer]

Well not sure about Germany - the size of Montana ... what do they mean re: powerful?

[ilovesarah2012]

I agree.

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks lbryce. Zero is trying to rule us with an iron hand, and couldn’t care less about our enemies, because he works for them.

Forbes Ranks Khamenei Above Netanyahu in Global Power List (barf alert)
Algemeiner | October 31, 2013 9:53 am | Zach Pontz
Posted on 10/31/2013 1:41:57 PM PDT by Dave346
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/3086065/posts

[Gumdrop]

Actually Obama is in second place after Putin. Merkel is in fourth place in the poll, but is the most powerful woman on the planet. I.e. there are three men above her in this poll.

[lbryce]

This article is not about Germany, the US or specific countries at all.
It's about individuals whose political status, power to influence events on the global stage has the most effect. The European Union as a singular cohesive political entity has great economic influence and power, with a GNP larger than that of the US. It's decisions, perspective different than that of the US has resulted in the considerable diminished status of the US in markets it reigned supreme for over half a century such as in aerospace and aircraft manufacturing despite Boeing's continued global preeminence.

The geographic size of any country does not in any way reflect its political power, influence. Germany as the economic powerhouse it has proven itself to be has been the sole,singular impetus behind the EU's continued political viability and along with it is the overwhelmingly expanded power and influence beyond that of which she has been granted by the German voting public.

[lbryce]

You are most welcome.

[Batman11]

“Well not sure about Germany - the size of Montana ... what do they mean re: powerful?”

Like Christie, she’s fatter than the storm.

[lbryce]

Very interesting perspective that provides an enhanced complementary analysis, comprehensive overview of the realpolitik that runs the world.

[SkyDancer]

LOL

[Lisbon1940]

Preposterous. It is Palin number 1.

[Bringbackthedraft]

LOL, come 2016 the BOB will become the #1 female leader of the world.

[CincyRichieRich]

Just finished reading this issues of Forbes; I am torn as I like the articles and investment columns, but I have noticed the writers are very liberal...big writeup on Bloomberg...ugh.

Also of the 65 or so they list, interesting AND faulty they leave Soros off the list entirely.

Perot is on the list. Buffet; no Soros??? That to me is suspicious...yes, I do believe in dark conspiracies.