Conflict among world powers a growing concern, experts say

Charismatic strongman politics is on the rise across the world," it said. "In addition to the 'America First' platform of President Trump, variations on this theme can be seen in numerous countries from China to Japan, Russia, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, the Philippines and elsewhere."

There is absolutely NOTHING charismatic about the leaders of the US, China, Japan, Russia, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, the Philippines, etc. NOTHING.

Canada, yes.

"Charismatic strongman politics is on the rise across the world,"

Cult of personality redux. Apparently many have learned nothing from the 1930's.

On a going back to the past theme, many of those who advocate for a 'strongman' ala the 1930's also push for going back, maybe to the 1950's instead of the 1930's, to the days of big oil, gas and coal.

But then these are the people who use 'progressive' as a pejorative.

Aly RustomToday  09:54 am JST

There is absolutely NOTHING charismatic about the leaders of the US, China, Japan, Russia, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, the Philippines, etc. NOTHING.

That's not true (well, perhaps it is in the case of Japan). But for as horrible as many of these leaders are, it is undeniable that for their core base of fanatic worshipers, they are indeed very charismatic.

Take Trump for instance: to the people he wants to openly screw over, he is thoroughly unlikable. But to a minority of Americans who are resentful of other people's success and happiness, he is totally charismatic because they draw inspiration from the way he tears others down. Trump means to screw those Americans over too, of course, he'll just do it less openly.

People who are weak and scared flock to bullies. Always have, always will. Even when they're as contemptible as dictators like Hitler and Stalin, it is impossible to deny they have a kind of hateful charisma with the groups of people who are motivated by hate.

China is pretty cool leader.

i have no hope for the future, just live each day as your last, don’t horde money, and try to help as many people everyday. And smile.

But for as horrible as many of these leaders are, it is undeniable that for their core base of fanatic worshipers, they are indeed very charismatic.

I agree with that, but I guess my definition of charismatic is a little different. It is always easy to appeal to hatemongers by hating with them and so I don't count being able to charm fanatics as being charismatic. That's just tapping and fueling anger and hate, and you don't need charisma for that. To really be a charismatic person (in my opinion) you need to be able to charm a majority of people across the board, which is why I chose Trudeau as a good example- he is loved by people around the world.

People who are weak and scared flock to bullies. Always have, always will. Even when they're as contemptible as dictators like Hitler and Stalin, it is impossible to deny they have a kind of hateful charisma with the groups of people who are motivated by hate.

That's unfortunately very true. But I don't put Hitler and Stalin in the same charisma pool as some of the other leaders. In fact, I don't put Hitler in the same Charisma dept as Stalin. Hitler managed not only to seduce Germany, but for a while even Winston Churchhil and the allies sung his praises. The guy was even awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.

I don't know. maybe they are charismatic, but my feeling is that, as you said, for their core base of fanatic worshipers, they are indeed very charismatic but to the rest of the civilized world they are reviled, which is why I have trouble getting my head around calling these animals charismatic.