Leaders — Democracies
This former German chancellor led the country from 2005 to 2021.
Who is Angela Merkel?
This Russian president ordered the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Who is Vladimir Putin?
When the government blocks websites or bans books to prevent people from accessing certain information, it practices this.
What is censorship?
The opening of this wall in 1989 became a symbol of the collapse of communist rule in Eastern Europe.
What is the Berlin Wall?
U.S. diplomatic efforts this week focused on ending Russia’s war against this country, led by Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
What is Ukraine?
In 2024, she became the first woman elected president of Mexico.
Who is Claudia Sheinbaum?
This leader of North Korea took power in 2011 following the death of his father.
Who is Kim Jong Un?
Government posters, broadcasts, and videos designed to shape political beliefs are examples of this persuasive messaging.
What is propaganda?
Beginning in Tunisia in late 2010, this wave of protests spread across the Middle East and North Africa.
What is the Arab Spring?
President Emmanuel Macron faces protests over living costs and public services in this European country.
What is France?
This former Mayor of Greater Manchester succeeding Keir Starmer as Labour leader and UK Prime Minister in July 2026.
Who is Andy Burnham?
This Chinese leader serves as president and heads the Chinese Communist Party.
Who is Xi Jinping?
The military suddenly removes the government and takes power in this type of takeover.
What is a coup d’état?
Nelson Mandela became South Africa’s president in 1994 after the end of this system of racial domination.
What is apartheid?
Aung San Suu Kyi remains detained following a 2021 military coup in this Southeast Asian country.
What is Myanmar?
This Brazilian president, commonly known by a four-letter nickname, returned to office in 2023 after previously serving from 2003 to 2010.
Who is Lula? (Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva)
This Belarusian president, often called “Europe’s last dictator,” first took office in 1994.
Who is Alexander Lukashenko?
A leader claims to represent “the real people” against a corrupt elite. This political approach has this name.
What is populism?
The 1974 Carnation Revolution helped end decades of dictatorship in this country next to Spain.
What is Portugal?
Recent conflict involving Iran has threatened shipping through this narrow waterway connecting the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman.
What is the Strait of Hormuz?
This former central banker succeeded Justin Trudeau as Canada’s prime minister in 2025.
Who is Mark Carney?
Commonly called “MBS,” this Saudi crown prince also serves as prime minister.
Who is Mohammed bin Salman?
A ruler gives supporters government jobs and contracts in exchange for political loyalty. This practice is called this.
What is patronage?
Czechoslovakia’s largely peaceful 1989 transition away from communist rule became known as this “soft” revolution.
What is the Velvet Revolution?
Recent U.S. sanctions have targeted this international court based in The Hague, which prosecutes individuals for genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity.
What is the International Criminal Court (ICC)?
This Australian prime minister, whose first name is Anthony, leads the country’s Labor Party.
Who is Anthony Albanese?
This Egyptian president, a former military chief, has held the presidency since 2014.
Who is Abdel Fattah el-Sisi?
Many citizens want a dictator removed, but each hopes others will take the risks of protesting. This obstacle to coordinated action is known by this name.
What is the collective action problem?
Samuel Huntington used this phrase for the international surge of democratization that began in Portugal in 1974.
What is the Third Wave of democratization?
This South African human rights advocate and former U.N. human rights chief won the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize.
Who is Navi Pillay?