How Vladimir Putin Became the World's Most Powerful Leader: A Deep Dive into His Life and Strategies
, by Unboxify, 6 min reading time
Vladimir Putin: The Most Powerful Man in The World 🌍
At the end of every year, Forbes magazine publishes a list of the world's most powerful people. This ranking is based on the control over resources, a person's influence on global events, and their sway over people. In the current list, Angela Merkel claims the third spot, Donald Trump the second, and Vladimir Putin tops the list, a position he has held since 2013. This raises an intriguing question: how has Putin, the leader of a nation with a relatively small population, managed to dominate the world stage?The Early Life of Vladimir Putin 🎬
Vladimir Putin was born in 1952 in St. Petersburg, which was then called Leningrad. His father was a factory worker and a devoted communist who fought in the Second World War against the Germans. Before Putin's birth, his two brothers passed away at a young age, one during the German occupation of Leningrad. Amidst this hardship, his mother, Maria, was one of the few who survived the catastrophic conditions of the city. Growing up as the only child born after the war, Putin's parents were determined for him to succeed. Remarkably, he owned a watch and even a car as a student—an extreme luxury in the Communist Soviet Union. Influenced by Soviet spy films, young Putin was inspired to become an agent for the KGB, the Soviet intelligence agency. He studied law at St. Petersburg State University as a prerequisite, and upon graduation, he began his career at the KGB.Career in the KGB and Political Ascension 🚀
Between 1985 and 1990, Putin worked as an undercover agent in East Germany. He was trained in surveillance and monitored visitor groups in Dresden, a hub for large peaceful demonstrations against the government. These demonstrations ultimately led to the collapse of the socialist East German state. During the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, Putin was busy burning secret KGB files to prevent them from getting into the hands of demonstrators. After the Soviet Union's dissolution, Putin transitioned into various governmental roles in St. Petersburg before moving to Moscow to further his political career. Under President Boris Yeltsin, Putin's rise was rapid. He managed relations between the Moscow government and regional authorities and later became the head of the Federal Security Service, the successor to the KGB. On August 9, 1999, Yeltsin announced Putin as his successor, and by New Year's Eve 1999, Putin became the President of the Russian Federation.Transforming Russia Under Putin 🛠️
Russia is the largest country on Earth, spanning nine different time zones. However, its flat terrain and northern position result in a harsh, cold climate, with most of the population residing in the European part of the country. When Putin assumed office, Russia was experiencing myriad separatist movements. To consolidate control, he reorganized the 89 federal subjects into seven administrative districts and removed direct elections for local governors, appointing them instead. Although criticized as anti-democratic, this move resonated with many Russians who yearned for a return to old strengths. His tenure marked an end to the tumultuous transitional period and economic collapse of the Yeltsin era. Putin revived national pride and identity, even reinstating the old Soviet national anthem in the year 2000, albeit with slightly altered lyrics.Russia’s Geopolitical Strategies 🌍
Despite its vast territory, Russia's access to international waters is limited. The Arctic Ocean in the north is frozen for half the year, and although Russia has access to the Black Sea, it remains dependent on Turkey to navigate the Bosphorus Strait to the Mediterranean. The strategic importance of the Sevastopol port, a home base for the Black Sea Fleet, became evident when Russia annexed Crimea in 2014. Economically, Russia's strength lies in its natural resources. Out of the ten largest Russian companies, six are in the oil and gas sector, and five are either wholly or majorly owned by the government. The largest, Gazprom, contributes significantly to the state budget. This dependency on oil is both a strength and a curse: it gives Russia leverage over its European trade partners while making it vulnerable to fluctuations in global oil prices.Modernizing Russia for Future Challenges 🚀
To counter this dependency, Putin is steering Russia toward modernization. State-funded companies are being established across various sectors—aircraft, nuclear technology, high-tech industries—with an eye on eventual privatization. These companies report directly to the prime minister, bypassing any specific ministry, and were mainly founded in 2007, just before Putin stepped down due to constitutional term limits in 2008. He then transitioned to Prime Minister and supported Dmitry Medvedev for the presidency, effectively maintaining his influence.Influence Beyond Borders 🌐
Putin's influence extends far beyond Russia. In 2005, the Russian government founded Russia Today (RT), a state television network broadcasting in multiple languages, including English, Arabic, and German. The network serves international audiences, with 80% of its budget aimed at foreign viewers. This is part of a broader strategy to shape global perceptions in favor of Russia. Based in St. Petersburg, the Russian government sponsors "web brigades" to comment on blogs and posts, promoting the Russian viewpoint. Pro-Russia political parties abroad receive Moscow's support; for instance, Marine Le Pen’s National Rally in France benefited from a €9 million loan from Russia.Challenging Global Powers 🌟
Putin's strategies challenge both the European Union and the United States. In Ukraine, Russia annexed Crimea and is actively involved in the eastern conflict. In Syria, Russia supports the Assad government against US-backed rebels. These actions demonstrate Putin's ambition to secure not only his country's power but also his influence on a global scale. His administration's structure ensures power remains tightly secured around him. His personal wealth and the control he exerts on public opinion worldwide make him arguably the most powerful person on earth today. While opinions on him are polarized—some hail him as a strong leader while others see him as a dictator—the history books will ultimately judge his legacy. ----- Most Powerful Person Since 2013: Vladimir Putin tops the Forbes list.
- Early Aspirations: Inspired by Soviet spy movies, he joined the KGB.
- Strategic Reorganization: Reordered federal subjects into administrative districts.
- Control of Media: Founded Russia Today to influence global opinion.
- Geopolitical Moves: Annexation of Crimea and involvement in Syria.
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