My Top 10 Geopolitical Politicians Since 2000

Welcome back, team! In this episode of Dave Talks Politics, hi, I’m Dave, and I’ll be talking politics. Today, team, let’s talk about:My Top 10 Geopolitical Politicians Since 2000We’re going to cover: A non-Western/BRICS-leaning list of the most prominent political operators in power since 2000 — high-profile leaders who directly shaped global affairs — ranked by strategic impact and results, countdown from 10 to 1, with brief profiles and combined scores out of 10 (experience + efficacy + peer respect + consistency + historical knowledge averaged).If you’re new to the channel, hey, take a moment, subscribe to the channel, then hit the bell to be alerted about new episodes when they drop.10. Jair Bolsonaro (Brazil) – President 2019–2023* Shifted Brazil toward US/Israel alignment, challenging BRICS norms with right-wing populism.* Key moves: Pro-US trade/military deals, embassy to Jerusalem, Amazon sovereignty push.* Combined score: 6.4/10 — brief impact, polarizing, lost reelection.* Overall: Disruptive outsider in Global South.9. Hu Jintao (China) – President 2003–2013* Oversaw “peaceful rise” and economic boom, laying BRICS foundations.* Key moves: SCO expansion, Africa outreach, 2008 crisis response.* Combined score: 8.2/10 — steady, foundational for China’s ascent.* Overall: Quietly built superpower base.8. Robert Fico (Slovakia) – PM multiple terms (2006–2010, 2012–2018, 2023–present)* Eurosceptic shifting Slovakia pro-Russia within EU/NATO.* Key moves: Blocked Ukraine aid, aligned with Hungary on energy/migration.* Combined score: 7.0/10 — regional influence, polarizing in West.* Overall: EU insider-outsider hedging model.7. Viktor Orban (Hungary) – PM 2010–present* EU’s illiberal outlier, hedging West/Russia/China.* Key moves: Vetoed Russia sanctions, Eastern Opening, Xi partnership.* Combined score: 8.2/10 — sustained power despite pressure.* Overall: Master of mid-sized state balancing.6. Mohammed bin Salman (MBS, Saudi Arabia) – Crown Prince since 2017* Modernized Saudi policy, diversified alliances.* Key moves: Yemen war, Qatar blockade/resolution, Abraham Accords, Russia/China ties.* Combined score: 7.8/10 — assertive but controversial.* Overall: Reshaped Saudi global role.5. Mohammed bin Zayed (MBZ, UAE) – President since 2022* UAE as diplomatic/economic broker.* Key moves: Yemen/Libya, Abraham Accords, Russia/China balance.* Combined score: 8.4/10 — pragmatic power projection.* Overall: Model of smart Gulf influence.4. Narendra Modi (India) – PM since 2014* Made India a swing power via multi-alignment.* Key moves: QUAD revival, G20 presidency, Ukraine mediation.* Combined score: 8.6/10 — steady global rise.* Overall: India’s ascent driver.3. Recep Tayyip Erdogan (Turkey) – PM 2003–2014, President since 2014* Neo-Ottoman assertiveness, balancing NATO/Russia/China.* Key moves: Syria/Libya, Ukraine grain deal, Africa outreach.* Combined score: 8.4/10 — bold regional clout.* Overall: Endurance and hedging standout.2. Wang Yi (China) – FM 2013–2023, now top diplomat* Led assertive diplomacy during China’s rise.* Key moves: RCEP, Iran-Saudi deal, Russia partnership.* Combined score: 8.6/10 — pragmatic global gains.* Overall: Face of China’s diplomatic ascent.1. Vladimir Putin (Russia) – President 2000–2008, 2012–present* Rebuilt Russia into multipolar player.* Key moves: Crimea, Syria, Ukraine, BRICS/energy leverage.* Combined score: 9.0/10 — unmatched strategic impact.* Overall: #1 — reshaped 21st-century geopolitics.BOTTOM LINE Top geopolitical politicians since 2000 — Putin #1 (9.0), Wang Yi (8.6), Erdogan (8.4), Modi (8.6), MBZ (8.4), MBS (7.8), Orban (8.2), Hu Jintao (8.2), Fico (7.0), Bolsonaro (6.4) — average 8.1/10, dominated by non-Western leaders who excel in resilience and multipolar navigation for crises like Iran/Ukraine.I hope you enjoyed this show today team. The main show, and snack sized supercuts are available on yt, plus apple and Spotify as a podcast and show notes on substack; come join the team it’s free and gets you instantly connected to what’s happening. Help me grow with a like and subscribe and wherever you are team in this wonderful world of ours, I hope, you have, a wonderful day.Talk soon! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit wgowbrics.substack.com