A New Brand of Iraqi Leadership?

Even though Ammar al-Hakim is not running in the upcoming elections, he is on path to become Iraq’s new power broker. Against the fears that Hakim will certainly provide Iran with a bigger footprint in Iraqi politics, there is the recent up-shift from a sectarian leader to national politician. The aftermath of next week’s election will test how real those fears are.

Born for Kurdistan

Masoud Barzani’s life has been marked by the political struggles of Iraqi Kurdistan. Having grown up in a family that was active in the struggle, Barzani’s life reads as if he was destined to lead the KDP. Despite his involvement in the military conflicts that have taken place in the country, Barzani is more than a fighter, he is a diplomat.

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The Dark Horse

Muqtada al-Sadr has emerged as an important voice in the politics of Iraq since the US-led invasion in 2003. Despite obvious obstacles to his success—ranging from his age, his underdeveloped religious education, and his questionable intelligence—al-Sadr has become as a forced to be reckoned with in the politics of post-invasion Iraq. Whether his grip on power is waxing or waning remains to be seen.

The Vanguard of Liberalization

Professor Jagdish Bhagwati’s work has been at the forefront of trade liberalization research. Having been described as the most creative international trade theorist of his generation, his academic and policy achievements have made him a leader in the fight for free trade.

The Puppet or the Puppeteer?

Mohammed Bade'a's appointment as leader of the Muslim Brotherhood has been controversial. Following his reputation as a weak leader, accusations abound that he is just the face of the group, while the true leader of the Brotherhood is Mahmoud Ezzat.

The Uphill Battle of American Diplomacy

Despite Hill’s potential shortcomings, his 32 years as a diplomat and his excellent reputation as a respectful listener and multi-level, high-stakes negotiator speak for themselves. They have earned him tremendous respect both domestically and abroad.

The Commander of the Basij

Reformists viewed the appointment of Naqdi as the commander of the Basij as another evidence that Khamenei was neither going to review his stance, nor withdraw his unlimited support to Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Instead, it is a striking indication that the regime would continue its strategy aimed to eradicate the reformist movement.

Dr Rajendra Kumar Pachauri, Nobel Peace Prize Winner 2007

Dr R K Pachauri is one of the few heroes on the climate change scene. Dr. Pachauri won the Nobel Peace Prize for providing the international community with scientific evidence that climate change – both natural and anthropogenic – would be a major and incommensurable threat to peace in the course of this century.