Who were/are the Greatest Political Leaders

[Rob Thornton]

Some time ago we had a very popular thread entitled "Who are the Greatest Generals". It evolved to become more then just council member's lists of favorites, or even lists of favorites with historical examples of military wins. It became a discussion about what makes a great military leader.

Why not give political leaders equal play? War is a way of achieving a political end, be it a calculated action, or a reaction. There is art in everything from building allies, to securing the gains toward the long term that were achieved in the decision, to as a political leader in the defeated polity convincing the victorious parties that its is in their best interest to make a better peace for the defeated. It can also include political leaders who at the same time were the defacto military leader.

The idea is to have a discussion about where in history (recent to ancient) political leadership was best employed in war - leading into war, during war and concluding the war.

Best, Rob