The document profiles 11 heads of state: Mahmoud Ahmadinejad of Iran, Bashar al-Assad of Syria, Josip Broz Tito of Yugoslavia, Fidel Castro of Cuba, Nicolae Ceaușescu of Romania, Francisco Franco of Spain, Muammar Gaddafi of Libya, Adolf Hitler of Nazi Germany, Saddam Hussein of Iraq, Kim Jong-il of North Korea, and Alexander Lukashenko of Belarus. It provides biographical details and highlights of their political careers and regimes.

1. By: Benedict Gombocz

2.  Born 28 October 1956.
 6th and current President of Iran
(since 3 August 2005).
 Main political leader of Alliance of
Builders of Islamic Iran, coalition
grouped of Iranian political groups.
 Regarded as controversial figure both
within Iran and around the world.
 Has been criticized domestically for
economic errors and negligence for
human rights.
 Began gas rationing plan in 2007 to
decrease Iran’s fuel consumption cut
interest rates that could be charged
by private and public banking
facilities.
 Backs Iran’s nuclear program.
 2009 re-election was widely debated
and resulted in protests and attracted
global criticism.

3.  Born 11 September 1965.
 Current President of Syria (since 17 July
2000) and Regional Secretary of Syrian-
headed branch of Arab Socialist Ba’ath
Party (since 20 June 2000).
 Hafez al-Assad, his father, was the
President of Syria for 29 years (22
February 1971-10 June 2000).
 Was elected twice (2000 and 2007),
unopposed both times.
 Syrian demonstrators have demanded his
resignation in the wake of ongoing
violent Syrian uprising; over 9,000 Syrian
civilians have been killed by Assad’s
government, many more injured, and
tens of thousands of protesters arrested.
 As a result of the use of violence against
the demonstrators, Arab League, United
States, EU members, and GCC states
have denounced Assad’s regime and have
called for sanctions against Syria.

4.  Born 7 May 1892.
 Died 4 May 1980.
 1st President of Yugoslavia (14 January 1953-4
May 1980).
 22nd PM of Yugoslavia (29 November 1943-29
June 1963).
 Held rank of Marshal of Yugoslavia for 37 years
(1943 until he died in 1980).
 Had highly approved reputation globally in both
Western and Eastern blocs; won almost 98
foreign decorations, which included Legion of
Honour and Order of the Bath.
 Ideal architect of “second Yugoslavia,” socialist
federation that existed from WWII until 1991,
year of Yugoslavia’s breakup.
 One of main founders and promoters of Non-
Aligned Movement, organization of neutral
communist nations, and was its first Secretary-
General.
 Backed policy of neutrality between two enemy
blocs in Cold War; success of such diplomatic
and economic policies led him to head
Yugoslavia’s economic boom and expansions of
1960s and 1970s.

5.  Born 13 August 1926.
 First Secretary of Communist Party of
Cuba (3 October 1965-19 April 2011).
 President of Council of State of Cuba (2
December 1976-24 February 2008).
 President of Council of Ministers of Cuba
(2 December 1976-24 February 2008).
 PM of Cuba (16 February 1959-2
December 1976).
 His regime has turned Cuba into socialist
republic with nationalization of industry
and business under state ownership and
passing of socialist reforms in every area
of society.
 Also held position of Secretary-General
of Non-Aligned Movement twice: 1979-
1983 and 2006-2008.
 Rose to power through 1959 Cuban
Revolution, leading overthrow of U.S.-
backed dictator Fulgencio Batista.

6.  Born 26 January 1918.
 Died 25 December 1989.
 General Secretary of Romanian Communist Party
(22 March 1965-22 December 1989).
 1st President of State Council (9 December 1967-
28 March 1974).
 1st President of Romania (28 March 1974-22
December 1989).
 His regime was marked in first decade by open
policy towards Western Europe and United
States, departing from that of other Warsaw
Pact members during Cold War; denounced
Soviet Union’s intervention in 1968 Prague
Spring.
 His second decade was described as increasingly
cruel and oppressive regime- the only Stalinist
regime of its time; was also marked by cult of
personality and worsening of relations with West
and Soviet Union.
 His government was toppled in Romanian
Revolution of 1989; he and his wife Elena were
executed by firing squad after televised and
hurriedly planned two-hour court session.

7.  Born 4 December 1892.
 Died 20 November 1975.
 Caudillo of Spain (1 April 1939-20 November
1975).
 68th PM of Spain (30 January 1938-8 June 1973).
 Rose to power while acknowledging ideals of
far-right Falagne movement, which was for
propaganda purposes, as he had no party
affiliation before he became Head of State.
 Used titles Caudillo de España and
Generalissimo; was formally called His
Excellency, The Head Of State.
 Took part in coup d’etat against Popular Front
regime; the coup failed and led to Spanish Civil
War in which Franco rose as leader of
Nationalists in opposition to Popular Front
regime.
 Emerged victorious in Civil War with support
from Germany and Italy and led right-wing
authoritarian government, acting as de facto
regent of restored Kingdom of Spain.
 Agreed to Spanish neutrality in WWII ; because
of his strong anti-Communist policy, Spain and
United States created diplomatic and trade
alliance.

8.  Born 7 June 1942.
 Died 20 October 2011.
 Ruler of Libya from 1969 until he died in 2011.
 Was leading supporter for United States of
Africa; served as Chairperson of African Union
(AU) from 2 February 2009 until 31 January 2010
(11 months, 29 days).
 Obtained chemical weapons in 1980s; Libya was
condemned as pariah state, and some countries
imposed sanctions.
 Six days after former Iraqi President Saddam
Hussein was captured by United States in 2003,
Gaddafi condemned Tripoli’s weapons of mass
destruction (WMDs) and accepted international
inspections to prove that he would keep his
commitment.
 Protests against his rule began in February 2011
after revolutions in neighboring Egypt and
Tunisia and the rest of Arab World; opposition
created their own government.
 Was captured alive in Sirte by Libyan National
Liberation Army (NLA) following NATO attack on
his convoy during fall of Sirte; was killed by NLA
fighters.
 By the time of his death, his 42-year
dictatorship made him fourth-longest serving
non-monarch since 1900, and longest-serving
Arab leader.

9.  Born 20 April 1889.
 Died 30 April 1945.
 Chancellor of Germany (30 January 1933-30
April 1945) and dictator of Nazi Germany (as
Führer and Reichskanzler, 2 August 1934-30
April 1945).
 Joined German Workers’ Party, short-lived
predecessor of Nazi Party
(Nationalsozialistische Deutsche
Arbeiterpartei, NSDAP), in 1919.
 Led coup d'état, known as Beer Hall
Putch, in Munich, in 1923, which failed
and resulted in his imprisonment (he was
sentenced to two years, but only served
nine months); during his impriosnment,
he wrote Mein Kampf (My Struggle).
 Gained support by attacking Versailles
Treaty and advancing Pan-Germanism,
anti-semitism, and anti-communism
with charismatic practice and Nazi
propaganda.
 His regime is closely associated with
birth of fascism, WWII, and Holocaust.

10.  Born 28 April 1937.
 Died 30 December 2006.
 5th President of Iraq (16 July 1979-9 April 2003).
 PM of Iraq (16 July 1979-23 March 1991; 29 May
1994-9 April 2003).
 Repressed number of movements, including
Shi’a and Kurdish movements whose goals were
to overthrow government or gain independence,
respectively.
 Retained power during Iran-Iraq war of 1980-
1988; invaded and annexed Kuwait in 1990.
 Although international coalition freed Kuwait in
Gulf War of 1991, it did not end his regime.
 Coalition forces led by U.S. and U.K. invaded
Iraq in March 2003 after U.S. President George
W. Bush and British PM Tony Blair accused him
of manufacturing WMDs and having connections
to al-Qaeda; Saddam’s Ba’ath party was
dissolved and he was captured on 13 December
2003 and put on trial.
 Was found guilty of charges related to 1982
killing of 148 Iraqi Shi’ites and was sentenced to
death by hanging.

11.  Born 16 February 1941.
 Died 17 December 2011.
 Supreme Leader of North Korea (8 July 1994-17
December 2011).
 General Secretary of Workers’ Party of Korea (8
October 1997-17 December 2011).
 Succeeded his father and DPRK founder
Kim Il-sung following older Kim’s death
in 1994.
 Was supreme commander of Korean
People’s Army, fourth-largest standing
army in the world.
 North Korea’s constitution was modified
to give him title “supreme leader”; was
also referred to, among others, as “Dear
Leader,” “our Father,” and “the
General.”
 Was ranked 31st in Forbes Magazine’s List
of The World’s Most Powerful People in
2010.
 Died of suspected heart attack while
travelling on train outside Pyongyang;
was succeeded by youngest son, Kim
Jong-un.

12.  Born 30 or 31 August 1954.
 1st and current President of Belarus
(since 20 July 1994).
 Chairperson of Supreme State Council of
Union State (since 26 January 2000).
 Worked as director of government-
owned agricultural farm before political
career.
 Under his government, Belarus has come
to be seen as a country whose conduct
departs from international law and
whose rule grossly neglects human
rights.
 Belarus has never had poll regarded as
just by international monitors since
Lukashenka came to power; as a result,
it has been referred to as “the last true
remaining dictatorship in the heart of
Europe” by former U.S. Secretary of
State Condoleezza Rice.
 Lukashenko and other Belarusian
officials are target of sanctions on
Belarus placed by EU on grounds of
outrageous human rights violations.

13.  Born 20 August 1941.
 Died 11 March 2006.
 3rd President of Federal Republic of Yugoslavia
(23 July 1997-5 October 2000).
 1st President of Serbia (8 May 1989-23 July
1997).
 Led Socialist Party of Serbia from its founding in
1990.
 His presidency was marked by dissolution of
Yugoslavia in 1991 and violent Yugoslav wars
that followed as result of ongoing tensions.
 Amidst 1999 NATO bombing of Yugoslavia, he
was charged with war crimes and crimes against
humanity for presiding over attempted ethnic
cleansing of Kosovo Albanians, in connection
with wars in Bosnia, Croatia, and Kosovo by
International Criminal Tribunal for the former
Yugoslavia (ICTY).
 Resigned Yugoslav presidency amongst
demonstrations, after disputed presidential
election of 24 September 2000; was arrested by
Yugoslav federal authorities on Saturday 31
March 2001, on suspicion of corruption, abuse of
power, and embezzlement.
 Died in prison cell in The Hague before a verdict
could be determined.

14.  Born 29 July 1883.
 Died 28 April 1945.
 Head of Government of Italy and Duce of Fascism (24
December 1925-25 July 1943).
 40th PM of Italy (31 October 1922-24 December
1925).
 First Marshall of Empire (30 March 1938-25 July
1943).
 Head of State of Italian Social Republic (23
September 1943-25 April 1945).
 Credited with being one of central figures in rise of
fascism.
 Amongst domestic achievements of his government
between 1924 and 1939 were public works programs
like taming of Pontine Marshes, improvement of job
opportunities, public transport, and so-called Italian
economic battles; also settled Roman Question by
signing Lateran Treaty between Kingdom of Italy and
Holy See.
 Was defeated on 24 July 1943 and overthrown
subsequent day, but was rescued from prison on 12
September in bold Gran Sasso raid by German special
forces.
 Led short-lived Nazi puppet state Italian Social
Republic; attempted to flee north, only to be
captured and executed by Lake Como by Italian
partisans.

15.  Born 7 October 1952.
 Current PM of Russia (since 8 May 2008; also
served as PM from 9 August 1999-7 May 2000
– Acting: 9 August 1999-16 August 1999).
 President of Russia (31 December 1999-7
May 2008 – Acting: 31 December 1999-7 May
2000).
 Leader of United Russia (since 1 January
2008).
 At United Russia Congress held 24
September 2011, Putin and President Dmitry
Medvedev announced Putin will run for
third, non-consecutive term in 2012
presidential election, which he easily won in
first round, although protests against him
have escalated since late 2011; approval
rating was only 52% in January 2012.
 President-elect of 2012 presidential
election; will assume office 7 May 2012.
 Was popular throughout presidency (highest
approval rating was 81% in June 2007), but
some of his actions have been questioned
and condemned by Western critics and
domestic political opposition as
undemocratic.

16.  Born 18 December 1878.
 Died 5 March 1953.
 General Secretary of Communist Party of Soviet
Union (3 April 1922-16 October 1952).
 Chairman of Council of Ministers (6 May 1941-5 March
1953).
 People’s Commissar for Defense of Soviet Union (19
July 1941-25 February 1946).
 Used position of General Secretary to strengthen his
power after Vladimir Lenin died in 1924 to silence
and detain all political opponents within Communist
Party, including those who worked for Lenin, like
Leon Trotsky, who became one of Stalin’s main
critics, and was deported from Soviet Union in 1929.
 Replaced Lenin’s New Economic Policy with
command economy and Five-Year Plans in 1928,
which turned U.S.S.R. into great industrial power;
this served as basis for its rising as world’s second
biggest economy after WWII.
 His rule deported millions of people to penal labor
camps; organized Great Purge to execute political
opponents, including Red Army leaders accused of
involvement in plots to overthrow Soviet
government.
 His regime was marked by cult of personality until he
died in 1953; successor Nikita Khrushchev denounced
his legacy in 1956 and de-Stalinized Soviet Union,
but modern opinions of Stalin remain divided, with
some regarding him as tyrant, and others as efficient
leader.

17.  Born 26 December 1893.
 Died 9 September 1976.
 1st Chairman of Central Committee of
Communist Party of China (19 June
1945-9 September 1976).
 1st Chairman of Central Politburo of
Communist Party of China (20 March
1943-28 September 1958).
 Architect, father, and founder of
People’s Republic of China (PRC) from
its establishment in 1949 and was its
first leader until he died in 1976.
 Rose to power through ordering Long
March, creating United Front with
Kuomintang (KMT) during Second
Sino-Japanese War to block Japanese
invasion, and later leading Chinese
Communist Party to victory over KMT
forces of Chiang Kai-shek in Chinese
Civil War of 1949.