Inspired by the Who is the Worst World Leader thread, I’d like to know what head of state is actually making the world a better place and has earned respect within his own country and around the world.
The Dalai Lama.
Although, it is arguable whether he would be so marvellous if he actually had a country to run.
What has the Dalai Lama achieved in his many years as leader? He sure hasn’t succeeded in getting Tibet back, or even much helping the conditions for the Tibetans there.
I think Kofi Annan has been a surprisingly good Secretary-General in difficult times. Putin, while certainly no without faults, has managed to turn around a sinking ship after the Yeltsin years, Aznar has been the leader of a booming economy under a harsh economic world climate, and propelled Spain into the limelight; didn’t manage to win the election though.
- Rune
It’s all been downhill since Cincinnatus, really.
Pffft. When your biggest legacy is Cincinnati you don’t even make the list, IMO.
Has anyone heard of Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani? He is the leader of the state of Qatar, and my nominee for the best world leader. Even though he is a monarch, he has given a lot of powers to his people and introduced many liberal measures for an Islamic country. Recently he opened branches of all hte prestegious American colleges in Qatar, so the the local people can have access to the best, locally.
And also worth noting is that even though Qatar supported US in the war on Iraq, there havent been any repurcussions for that so far. He has managed to strike the balance between the Islamic calls for non cooperation with US, and yet managed to get in its good books, the fruits of which, he is enjoying now.
Great, huh?
It is the Illuminati and thier subordinates (the Skull and Bones, the Freemasons, and Opus Dei) of course. They are the only REAL leaders of the world anyway.
I’d suggest Lee Kuan Yew (Singapore) if we’re not limited to the present leaders. Of course he hasn’t given over the reigns completely to his successor (his son 
)… he is still First Minister.
He did however make Singapore one of the wealthiest nations from a position of having no natural resources. True it’s very strictly run, but on the other hand it has very little crime.
V
Gehard Schroeder
Sultan Qaboos bin Sa’id of Oman.
Since ousting his father (admittedly in a British-supported coup) in 1970 he has repealed his father’s Amishesque policies of banning electronics, heavy industry, and automobiles, opened up Oman’s oil resources, satisfactorily concluded a thirty-year border dispute with Yemen, modernized the armed forces, turned a nation of dirt tracks into some of the world’s best build and maintained roads…
He’s also introduced somewhat representative government, by creating elected assemblies, and reintroducing the Arab governmental principle of Shura (consultation).
King Abdullah of Jordan is an impressive figure, at least to these Western eyes. Same with Hamid Karzai of Afghanistan.
However, their statesmanship may be tempered in the eyes of their citizens because of their decidedly pro-Western (or pro-American, if you prefer) bent.
The Jews. 
Cincinnati’s sweet, what are you talking about?
Emir Sheikh Hamad Ben Khalifa Al Thani of Qatar scores the easy win. That guy is just incredible.
You beat me to it. The Sheikh is the perfect example of a sucessful benevolent dictatorship. He has taken Qatar from an oyster farming nation to a thriving city-state with all the modern amenities any citizen could ask for.
Huh?
Emir Sheikh Hamad Ben Khalifa Al Thani of Qatar. King Abdullah of Jordan. Hamid Karzai of Afghanistan. Sultan Qaboos bin Sa’id of Oman.
What? Am I missing something? Have Muslim leaders who don’t murder become the current vogue?
Surely you Dopesters just strain your choices just to be original and cute.
If we don’t bother to consider the magnitude of the challanges faced by our leaders then the greatest hero’s of our time can easily be our grandmother or grandfather or the great Baptist preacher down the street.
Lift your eyes from your navels and look out onto the big world beyond.
At this very moment History is writting hosannas to these two very courageous men of this eventful new Century so grimly born…
George W Bush and Tony Blair
In that order.
Tony Blair and George W. Bush lied to start a war.
Great leaders do neither.
From a standpoint of enjoying respect within and without his country and having made the world a better place, I vote for Vaclav Havel, Czech Playright, former dissident, and President of the Czech Republic.
Well if “retired” leaders count: NELSON MANDELA
Milum… please take your pills please. Even rabid bushites don’t think Bush is the best leader.
I wonder if Milum knew that Blair is from a leftist party and is unabashedly in favor of socialized medicine, if that would affect his views.