GZERO World Clips
Which authoritarian is “best of the worst”? Gideon Rachman's favorite strongman
Which Authoritarian Is “Best of the Worst”? | Gideon Rachman's Favorite Strongman | GZERO World
June 17, 2022
Gideon Rachman, chief foreign affairs columnist at the Financial Times, has just published a new book about autocrats, so Ian Bremmer puts him on the spot on GZERO World.
Which one appeals to you the most?
"That is difficult. I wouldn't say ... I'm running desperately through my head," says Rachman, before settling on one autocrat he's not a fan of but concedes is at least "an interesting figure."
Clues: He leads a very populous country, comes from humble beginnings, and Rachman believes he's not personally corrupt like other strongmen.
Watch the GZERO World episode: The politics of resentment & how authoritarian strongmen gain power.
More For You
Participants hold placards during a protest to condemn the U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran and commemorate students killed in a strike on a girls' primary school in Minab in southern Iran on February 28, in front of the U.S. embassy in Seoul, South Korea, March 12, 2026.
REUTERS/Kim Soo-hyeon
175: The number of people killed at an Iranian girls’ school in a strike on Feb. 28. Initial intelligence reports suggest that the US was to blame for the strike, per the New York Times, after the military used a now-defunct set of coordinates to deploy the hit.
Most Popular
Strong communities start with opportunity. Bank of America invested nearly $40 million in workforce development programs in 2025 — helping 86,400 people connect to jobs, and 264,000 build new skills that strengthen local economies. Explore how Bank of America is building the workforce of today and tomorrow.
Chris, an Army veteran, started his Walmart journey over 25 years ago as an hourly associate. Today, he manages a Distribution Center and serves as a mentor, helping others navigate their own paths to success. At Walmart, associates have the opportunity to take advantage of the pathways, perks, and pay that come with the job — with or without a college degree. In fact, more than 75% of Walmart management started as hourly associates. Learn more about how over 130,000 associates were promoted into roles of greater responsibility and higher pay in FY25.
© 2025 GZERO Media. All Rights Reserved | A Eurasia Group media company.