New York (AFP) - For a second year in a row, Russian President Vladimir Putin has beaten Barack Obama to the title of world's most powerful leader as ranked by Forbes.
In a year in which Russia annexed Crimea, stoked a conflict in Ukraine and clinched a multi-billion-dollar gas pipeline deal with China that Forbes called the world's largest construction project, Putin remained on top.
It was the third time in Obama's presidency that he has lost top billing -- twice to Putin and once to Chinese leader Xi Jinping.
"So who's more powerful: the omnipotent head of (a) corroding but still feisty power or the handcuffed head of the most dominant country in the world?" Forbes asked.
"For the second year running, our votes went with the Russian president as the world's most powerful person, followed by US President Barack Obama."
The 2014 list of 72 powerbrokers was chosen to reflect one for every 100 million lesser mortals on Earth and the top five remained unchanged from last year. View gallery Russian President Vladimir Putin has beaten Barack … Russian President Vladimir Putin has beaten Barack Obama to the title of world's most powerful l …
Third prize went to Jinping, who is expected to rule for a decade in which China is set to eclipse the United States as the world's largest economy.
Pope Francis was number four and German Chancellor Angela Merkel number five.
Among 12 newcomers are Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, number 15; Alibaba founder—and China's richest man Jack Ma, number 30; and Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the self-proclaimed caliph of the Islamic State group, number 54.
While 26 on the list come from the United States, Asia Pacific made a strong showing with 19 from the region, including six from China.
The list includes 17 heads of state who run nations with a combined GDP of $48 trillion and 39 CEOs and chairs who control over $3.6 trillion in annual revenue.
Nine women made the cut -- but for the first time two women -- Merkel and US Federal Reserve chair Janet Yellen -- reached the top 10.
The entire list can be seen at www.forbes.com/pow
news.yahoo.com/putin-beat...er-ranking-142015745.html
Poster Comment:
Leo All mentioned here has photos or clips of the events on different webs/articles. I am comprising as a third person, as an objective observer. Majority of Americans voted for our glorious leader (twice), so...:here you have it folks: 1. Putin is a proud veteran wearing uniform, Obama...talks by the phone in front of the soldiers who salute him, not even noticing them. 2. Putin proudly sings his Russia anthem. Obama...talks or keeps his hands down giving his back to the flag - (BDW, he does not wear the honorable pin, either). 3. Putin is a polyglot speaking 11 languages, Obama speaks English only, in repetitive pattern. 4. Putin talks and looks in the eye of the leaders as equal, Obama bows all the way to the belt before the China's president, Soudi's King, Emperor of Japan....the list is long. 5. Putin is a black-belt-in-Judo guy and a Martial Artist, Obama walks his dog or walks on a golf course. 6. Putin goes to talk to tough men, Obama goes to "The View". 7. Putin rides horses, puts foot down in Formula One car (240 km/h), Obama rides girlie bicycle with a helmet. 8. Putin power-swims in freezing lakes, Obama boogie boards in the Hawa'iian shallows. Aloha! 9. Putin, 62, has been dubbed “the Sexiest Politician Alive” (Glamour's magazine, November 2014) and "Person of the Year", (Time, 2007), Obama...on Newsweek covers (May 14, 2012, )..well... 11. Putin has a very young gracious Olympic champion Alina Kabayeva and he (diplomatically!) does not show her off, but Alina is the reason for his youthfulness. Obama has Michelle...ok, you will be the judge... The list goes on... Congratulations for the second place, but the second is first to lose, right? BDW, among the winners, Pop Frances looks the best!8-1
Calgery US effects the world by its wars, terrorists, puppets, printing dollars, supporting Israhell, propping fake revolutions and I think the US is the most influential power on earth if not for Obama controlling but for the CIA or zionists controlling everything that happens in the world including media and clandestine operations!