The Role of Political Leaders in Shaping of Global Geopolitical Strategies in the Modern World

Abstract:

The research investigates political leadership and global geopolitical strategies from ancient times to the present, focusing on their evolution in the context of modern world progress.

This study emphasizes critical comparisons between Eastern and Western leadership conceptions, utilizing prominent examples from historical developments.

Additionally, several crucial perspectives and approaches and their impacts on geopolitical dynamics from outstanding personalities and experts on leadership perception will be explored.

The analysis also highlights diverse political actions and geopolitical implications, particularly in the realms of conflict, politics, economics, international cooperation, and development in contemporary history, to provide a clarified overview.

Introduction:

The interaction between leadership and geopolitics is undeniably important for the fate of countries and world. This fact is a true reality which came from prehistoric times.

During the many centuries the leaders of states, such as empires, khanates, sultanates, kingdoms, duchies, republics and etc. have the most essential role for their countries according to the leading by strong personalities, whereas vast majority of them were head of state as well. This mentioned fact is also a reality of our modern world.

The leadership phenomenon relates to political heritage, geographical aspects, religion, national and moral values, ethical principles and cultural differences which are the result of historic-political development.

After World War second so many new countries gained their independence. In order to independence of states we saw lots of various leaders and their political activity in international relations system and geopolitical overview.

They had started to establish some strategies regarding to their national and state interests. Thus, supreme implications had been implemented by the world’s leader for achieving their purposes and intentions because of having a say in modern historic progress.

That known tradition is continuing now, meanwhile it is the way to influence geopolitical occasions and called shaping the geopolitical strategies in international sphere.

Development of Leadership Concept:

Leadership encompasses a blend of attitudes and actions that bring people together toward a common purpose, foster teamwork, and ensure the realization of mutual objectives.

Effective leaders are often perceived as pioneers, managers, or guides, using their personal decisions and initiatives to inspire and direct others.

Currently, we accept the leadership perception around the historic-political occasion because of today’s requirements. In this case, there are many examples of leaders in history who served as rulers, founders, or heads of state from ancient times, such as Ramses II, Sargon the Great, Hannibal Barca, Mete Han, and Octavian Augustus.

However, one of the most remarkable examples of changing the concept of leadership in the world order is Cyrus the Great, who founded the Achaemenid Empire in 550 B.C. in the territory of present-day Iran.

He also serves as a proper model for understanding the comparisons between East and West in terms of leadership.

He was one of greater and first conqueror of known world from India to Greece. Meanwhile, it continued with his other greater followers of the world Darius the Great and Xerxes First called himself the King of the Kings or God King which came from Cyrus the Great and created a resonance around the world, meanwhile, the purpose of this action’s meaning related to rule the whole world for combine it under his power and control.

On the contrary, Greek City States could not totally defence themselves and did not unit against the Persian danger. East and west faced for the first times in this kind of situation which was one of the critical occasions for obtain the cultural, geographical, state, and national differences according to those times factors in this level.

After this historic progress, we became acquainted with several similar events that are an essential part of history, demonstrating leadership features that emerged under the same parameters, in the meantime these Persian rulers continued and formed eastern leadership mechanism made obvious differences between Eastern and Western countries which can be seen for nowadays as well.

This reference was the heritage to next generations as a part of system that we can see in the modern world. Nowadays, some kind of realistic actions create an undeniable geopolitical situation in the context of leadership.

All concepts have their development periods. The concept of leadership faced so many periods for its development. In general, from prehistoric times till today management of countries, internal system of state, principles of state dynamics changed, and modern politics formed according to historical progress by rulers, states, personas and etc.

In those times the geopolitics did not exist technically, but we accept vast majority of those military processes as geopolitical occasions or shaping of geopolitics for modern world comparably.

Every state has its own management dynamics which is connected to its population, religion, historical events, leaders, geographical aspects, political overview, economic base, and military functions.

Thus, the observation of all aspects gives a huge illustration for understand it definitely.

At the same time, the comparison about ancient Greek-Persian wars and relations between them helps us to accept lots of approaches for democracy, political implications, importance of rulers and leaders, the prestige of leaders, and populism.

Besides Cyrus the Great several great empires came to history stage, whereas lots of emperors appear with their empires in this process as a part of significant factor for world history.

Regarding to the essential acceptance of leadership initiatives, it could be demonstrated with historical facts that relate to modern perceptions for its transparency.

Even though we mention Cyrus the Great as one of the superior rulers of history, however we knew some other rulers from Akkadians (first known empire), Assyrians, Babylonian, Ancient Egypt etc. had severe influence on the changing of world dynamics and improvement of progress.

There are some crucial facts and details that assist us for obtain exact imaginations about comparable and considerable historical occasions for today’s world from the past.

Actually, we know that leadership concept appeared under the impact of Tyrants hegemony inside of their countries borders from time to time.

Meanwhile, they were rulers, generals and superiors over their people, state, system, culture as well.

During their exist hegemony they should struggle for love, respect, fear of population, military and elites for having strong authority. Furthermore, all steps commence the cult of personality with itself.

It is clear cut we met the same examples in Roman Empire, Russian Empire, Ottoman Empire, Mongol Empire, former USSR, and so many other countries, meanwhile it is also same for some republics which managed by one person who manage the authority and state for a long time.

Current example is dramatically typical for arrange the cult of personality or create a condition for it.

It helps to manipulate the population or making various emotions in other societies for thinking like this. The cult of personality is so famous in the modern world as well.

Old rulers used to appeal to the public so many times for show, prove or clarify something. It was also a way to show only existence of themselves and their mighty appearance, indeed, this was a populism with the old ways.

Leadership priority was connected with the portrait of single personality, the ruler which was also a commander of his country and whole property.

There is something we can see obviously that the name of kingdoms or empires called with its founders, such as Alexander the Great, Genghis Khan, Nadir Shah Afsharid etc.

Because of power of ruler historians used to call for better explanation and clarification.

In the history the leadership rise with the military succession and reformations. Additionally, it helps to old leaders to known as a powerful personality and statesman. Purpose of such steps were part of establishment of sustainable hegemony.

At the same time, we can emphasize it with the example of Greek City States vs Darius which was really important for shaping the future political strategies in Anatolia and the Known World, that also happened as it should be.

Afterwards lots of different changes occurred leading by Rome, Sassanids, Caliphate, and several Empires and leaders for create and realize their politics regarding to interests of themselves.

Modern Leadership Portrait:

After taking a glace from history it is definitely clarified that the priorities of leadership formed during the historical occasions and because of its consequence as well.

Modern world dynamics are forming because of leaders’ own ambitious, international standards and today’s requirements.

It is also a reality that leaders personal ambitious effect other two nuances in most cases that they can plan to implement it.

The leaders of modern world should have so many different qualities, and they must have some abilities like strategic thinking, knowledge, analytical capability, awareness about national values, and comprehension of responsibilities according to their states.

However, we have to acknowledge that these factors are not mandatory for all leaders in the world, it is just an overview about ideal leadership portrait.

On the other hand, today’s some of requirements are transparent which should establish by state administration or government and realize by media.

But this case is controversial because of internal state system and behavior and approach of the authority of country.

However, the media is truly important indicator for presenting the political portraits to societies. Furthermore, we can consider all the leaders from different resources for their impact on the geopolitical progress in the world.

We know that all leaders do not have same qualities. They can look stronger, tough, smart, introvert, knowledgeable, dangerous, rude etc. This is acceptable and unique for any of them own.

In fact, this is not exactly as same as in the middle centuries, or the historical occasions B.C., but it should be better to remember the reference for today’s leadership conception.

Clear cut that exact varieties are known about leaders of USA, Federal Republic of Germany, United Kingdom, France, Russia, Iran, Türkiye, China, Switzerland and etc.

According to democratic progress vast majority of head of states elect from people and they have responsibility in front of them, although some of them have been elected with anti-democratic steps.

Modern leaders should have a good image, aware of management of country, at the same time they should contact well with media as well.

The main intention of political leaders is influence to the international geopolitics. This is not an essential and first public commitment, but this is a requirement of global system.

Leaders must establish relations between countries, express an attitude to conflicts, provide a strong position for their country in the international geopolitics.

Modern leadership conception emerges against the backdrop of these processes. Nowadays, new demands exist for being an ideal leader, or at least as close to ideal as possible.

The modern portrayal of leadership could be exaggerated by the media or shaped by the desires of the leaders themselves.

Thus, they should have strong viewpoints as a leader, at the same time, they may engage in populism within society, even if they are idealized to strengthen their influence and gain positive recognition from the international community.

First step of these mentioned is their speech, election campaign, and strategies. Populism and higher public speaking abilities are key components for achieve a success. Politician should convince people, society, electors, other politicians, investors, and sometimes international community about servicing to state and national interests.

However, all these are confused by deceive of society because of personal interests by political leaders, and it may sound forgery by politicians against transparency, democracy, or freedom.

Meanwhile we become a witness of spectacular differences between politician and leaders. But this is a proven fact that populism utilize by any leader which is accepted as a tool for explaining and addressing for the people.

For today’s world leaders’ and countries’ have their own strategies are realized by them, or they continue it.

In any cases, the main intention is coping with challenges and obstacles for their nation and country by especially themselves.

At the same time, it helps to act as a preferable personality and make a prestigious view. Making themselves as a persona-grata in the society.

Their promises, activities, ideas pave the way to become a real leader for the nation or other countries’ leaders. These factors are important for attract interests from the other leaders.

In addition, the participation in global and international politics aims to effect on progress of all occasions in the world as much as possible. This is the way for geopolitics that increase their role in it, shape and manage it as well.

Every new era brings new demands, obstacles, and changes along with itself. There are lots of requirements for create an ideal leadership priority. Knowledge, technology, innovation, diplomacy, popularity are one of them.

Without vast majority of these it is impossible to be a strong leader who impact on geopolitical process all over the world, and no chance to cover the world with a mighty authority, except the leadership itself.

This is undeniable that becoming a real leader can change everything, sometimes it happens without so many requirements, and we discuss and analyse only leaders’ own portraits and their visions.

Muammer Kaddafi, Saddam Huseyn, Hosni Mubarak could be an example to these types of perspectives in the example of leadership and failure.

The controversial question is what is the leadership for different countries and societies? In the example of Persian-Greek wars and relations in ancient times that comparison is going ahead in the example of USA, Germany, UK, France VS Russia, China, Türkiye, Iran, India which is accepted as West and East struggle in modern world.

During the centuries west tried to make a strong system for better and sustainable development and leaders are not as necessary as before, on the contrary eastern countries are still keeping alive the unexceptional leadership superiority for stay strong and develop via willpower of their leaders.

Geopolitical Overview and Geopolitical Strategies:

There is no exact explanation of geopolitics, but mostly it is understandable as a political acting methods or consequences in it. Geopolitics refers to the study of how geographic factors impact power dynamics in international relations.

In modern discussions, the term is often used broadly as a substitute for international politics. The term “geopolitics” was first introduced by Swedish political scientist Rudolf Kjellén around the early 20th century.

It gained popularity across Europe between World Wars I and II (1918–1939) and eventually became widely recognized globally during that time. Geopolitics have several changeable complications in different international and global processes.

In this case, there is a geopolitical expansion which is dramatically important for states according to political hegemony in the world. Geopolitics realize from politicians for arrange country’s purposes and interests in the world.

Awareness about geopolitical dynamics is really important for provision of political-economic stability. These dynamics form by world leaders, politicians, states, governments, trans-national corporations, international organisations in international sphere.

Today’s geopolitical overview is so complicated. Vast majority of countries try to effect to the geopolitical process for earn a significant place in world politics. In this case one of the main responsibilities belong to politicians who can be a leader when it is needed.

Politicians and their impact on geopolitical issues are undeniable for creation of stable system according to their intentions and interests simultaneously.

However, we could not call all politicians a leader and every leader could not be aware of deep political details. This requires an outstanding leadership ability and higher potential.

Conflicts, wars, negotiations, foreign policy are consisting of geopolitics. All these factors are the independent ways to make a huge impact on countries foreign and internal policy and prepare geopolitical changes in the world (Geopolitical hegemony).

Diplomacy and international relations had been accepted as a part of geopolitics or develop alongside with geopolitics. Regarding to the strong implication for international geopolitics these nuances should be known well, especially from the leaders.

Diplomatic-political manoeuvres must be considered with any special details for severe implementations in geopolitical sphere. Diplomacy has been activated as a tool for provide the geopolitical superiority which is realize in different regions – Middle and Near East, Mediterranean Basin, Afrika, Central Asia, Caucasus, etc.

We also understand it as an integral part of interest conception which is undoubtable. The transparent observations prove that geopolitical hegemony is beginning from Middle and Near East.

If you rule this territory, you rule the whole world. Whereas in this zone the interests intersected because of their own ambitious of leaders and states.

All countries are trying to be the most powerful than the others whatever it takes. It seems that different countries achieve some advantages sometimes, but not definitely.

They do not avoid from face other strong countries in field of struggle. In the geopolitical reality they have to be ready for this inevitable matter for their world authority.

Furthermore, existed progresses show that crucial purpose is about affecting to international relations system and global politics for fulfil their own interests regarding to the leaders’ personal initiatives or national and state interests’ conceptions.

At any rate, the intention is servicing to state for make it as much as stronger than before which is the essential part of international geopolitics.

Establishment of Sustainable Geopolitical Process Leading by Politicians:

According to taking a glance to the management priorities of world states, we observe so many differences and developments for their internal dynamics, which is connected with their historical, cultural, religious, political, economic factors.

Mainly, vast majority of comparisons take place under the name of East-West confrontation. This is not a coincidence that we can consider so many differences among them.

These management varieties show their impact on leadership perception, or it could be called that there is a crucial connectivity between management and leadership in the countries administrative system itself.

For instance, the leadership conception in USA is not always mandatory, because there are a sharp and exact management priorities came from its historical values.

However, the importance of president as a leader of USA consists of their implications for manipulate the geopolitical dynamics in the world or protect the economic-political stability. This issue is developing because of superiority of United State, but the essential point is what leaders do for rule the world regarding to interests of states themselves.

The remarkable part is president and his team’s election campaign and realized steps during presidency elections by them.

On the contrary, general overview is dramatically different, especially in the example of Russian Federation.

Vladimir Putin who is the president of Russia Federation and accepted as a ruler of the country who has undeniable power. Actually, it looks the same and not surprise for Russian traditional management history.

Whereas Russia is Russia all the time, but the significant point is who rule there, because the man who has a keen leadership ability as a soldier, reformist, or who just seem like a formal leader of Russia.

Today, there is no hesitant question for Russian Federation and its authority about management case. The resilient leader Vladimir Putin is able to influence and change the geopolitical process in the world.

He is accepted as one of the strongest leaders in global politics. He is also chosen the strongest man in the world from ”Forbes” journal for seven times.

He is known one the prestigious person in the world, and famous for his rough and tough political actions. He starts, sets up, ends the wars, manipulates conflicts, define the dynamics of global politics and known as a state of Russia itself. Vladimir Putin ”the Last Tsar of Russia” called by some politicians.

As Vladimir Putin, the President of the Republic of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan known as a strong political leader.

Certainly, a few various aspects show serious remarkable differences than traditional values about leadership and management existence.

Traditional values could be observed for India, China, Iran, etc. because of the leader of country and perception around development of management priorities.

Moreover, Germany, UK, France, Italy and some kind of European countries share the approximate indicators which should be mentioned that sustainable and significant parliamentary system is first measure for their states.

At the same time, the Eastern countries prefer to follow political leaders for predictable development.

This was not changed about Eastern and Western differences according to the comparison came from Persian-Greek war and relations and Today’s East and West rise and struggle towards with undeniable matters.

Intentions of leaders are about provision of geopolitical implications in conflicts, international, and global interstate relations. In every attempt service possible provision for manipulation of geopolitics.

Strong political leaders use everything as a tool for establish their considered advantages in any stage, such as relations with new states, requirements of freedom from different populations, supporting the independence attempts or separative opinions by autonomous states or people, manipulation of human right, and etc.

The considerable purpose is about arranging personal ambitious of world leaders’ strategies in order to their own interests.

Because of the listed approaches leaders form and prepare strategies of foreign policy by themselves or teams together.

We see that preparation of foreign affairs by leaders is definitely important for effective geopolitical hegemony against the enemies or rivals.

Effective foreign policy is the way for geopolitical improvements and geopolitical expansion.

In this case, one of the hardest zones as a conflict region for struggle among countries is Ukraine. Russia’s goal is invading Ukraine and repair its dominancy like former USSR. On the contrary, western state try to prevent. So, Ukraine is the settlement area for Russia regarding to its goals to becoming a superpower again.

Financial, military and humanitarian aids are carried out from Western countries, in the mean time, their approaches and strategic manoeuvres in Ukraine prove that they take it very serious for decrease the future implication of Putin. Z. Brezinski told that Russia will never lose its chauvinist and aggressive policy, never give up restoring former USSR.

Consequently, Russia will start to restore it is superpower trait with invading Ukraine. The reinforcement of superpower has been started from Ukraine.

The cult of personality:

Leadership can bring disastrous consequences. No wonder, it is prestige and advantage for head of states, soldiers, or politicians being an accepted and adored leader from people, but different realities are acting around leadership perception which is inevitable to face.

In fact, believing themselves as a mighty and special one can be terrific for future matters. The love of population, and fake loyalty from team of leaders make a condition for consider themselves as a strongest and undisputed. Because of these kinds of processes there is a statement, ”The cult of personality”.

This concept can be utilized for any politicians who has a serious position about leadership priorities, or not.

Of course, the leader can be successful, but the cult of personality creates a danger for their realistic approaches and right leader abilities.

The clarity of this perspective proves that it deviates significantly from ideal leadership.

The leaders’ geopolitical decision-making related to determination which appears in challenging situations.

Analysing conditions, active participation in international relations, creativity, principality are necessary for ideal leaders as well, nevertheless these indicators also can assist to create the cult of personality which is take place after a success.

In geopolitics everything should be perfectly clear for executor. Generally, if it is not as clear as it requested, it will be accepted as lack of implementers.

Cult of personality should be avoided by country management in any small opportunity. Because every possible mistake could make a condition for fail in geopolitical struggling.

Geopolitical Expansion under the Strong Leaders’ Initiatives

Geopolitics is a complicated issue that cannot be solved with simple methods. The best approach is to develop specific strategies. The preparation of these strategies comes from government leadership, team executors, or key leaders.

A centralized and well-defined authority for the implementation of these strategies and plans is essential for achieving success.

At this stage, the critical role of leaders becomes evident. Precise decisions made by determined leaders pave the way for progress, aligned with strategic steps.

Geopolitical expansion occurs through international diplomacy, economic relations, financial strategies, military cooperation, humanitarian aid, public support, etc.

Leaders often make official statements to other nations, using supportive rhetoric that boosts their popularity.

They also condemn violence, crime, and oppression while advocating for the freedom of people. One notable example is Vladimir Putin’s stance on Ukraine.

Russia’s actions were justified through propaganda and claims against neo-Nazi movements in Ukraine. Russia portrayed its actions not as an invasion but as a campaign to eliminate neo-Nazi elements and reclaim historical territories.

Many experts and observers argue that this strategy originates from President Putin himself, reflecting traditional Russian historical values and territorial claims.

On the other hand, the sharpest collision zone for geopolitical expansion known Middle East. This place is the seismic belt of world politics. At the same time, we recognize Middle East as a conflict zone for occurred lots of confrontation.

Political interests of Russian Federation and Vladimir Putin appear in the Middle East as well. Additionally, other countries try to fulfil their interests in the Middle East.

Especially, USA has keen attention to this zone. Also, we can hear so many speeches by Presidents of United States. The most impressive occasions had been happened in the presidency of Barack Obama. Arabic Spring, Operations of Terror organization raised significantly in those times.

Obama also had hard policy for Middle East because of becoming a global power or stay as a superpower.

The main thing is effective destructive foreign policy service the hegemony of USA by leader who is a performer for arrangement of countries own interests.

The significant intersection also highlighted Turkey’s role as a key player in the Middle East, demonstrating its influential and strategic actions.

Especially, Recep Tayyip Erdogan has severe manoeuvres for obtaining undeniably spectacular advantages in conflict zones.

These listed countries are already as strong as before, but the leadership advantages emerge in these types of occasions.

At this moment iron-will is essential for states power dynamics. In this case, great leaders show their specific qualities for their countries future.

Leaders can make microgravity effect around successful results, when their country need. Microgravity is a steady impact for obtaining an achieve about provision of power principles in international geopolitics step-by-step.

Meanwhile, the power disease is made regarding to the intention of stable superiority in the world which depends on beneficial and sustainable power projection in the country itself.

So, it makes a risk about disease that is way for fall to disaster. In this sphere, the prestige of leaders, their political decisions, and the misuse of power can create circumstances that foster arrogance or ignorance, leading to a metaphorical ‘blindness syndrome’ as a political power center.

Conclusion:

Corollary, leadership concept covers all part of our life, but the leadership in geopolitics has a special place.

All geopolitical strategies can be successful, if they create in a good way and implement with strong will. It seems that it is impossible to realize without a strong leader. Leaders prepare, implement, observe and consider the geopolitical strategies.

Geopolitics itself prefer to see political leaders in all process. It is truly important to understand, the significant conclusion require hard decisions all the time. Even they start to renew extra-ordinary geopolitical realities in international relations system.

They communicate with world leaders for increase the implications as an essential geopolitical actor. It is about not only creation of huge implications, but also small agreements between sides would be more useful for taking faster steps.

New world has its own challenging, in this case one of the main purposes of world leaders are meeting the requirements. Being a pioneer in political arenas—shaping, controlling, improving, or even manipulating global politics—serves as a key indicator of political influence.

Shaping, manipulating, and controlling relations according to their own significant interests determines the fate of some people in these states. As Hans Morgenthau said: ”Everything changes, the interests never”.

This Article is written by Anar Rasul who is corespondent on the International Relations. He is graduated from Poland and from Azerbaijan.