Putin is more powerful than Obama, according to Forbes

Russian President Vladimir Putin would probably be pretty pleased with Forbes' latest list of the world's most powerful people. For the third year in a row, Putin reigns supreme as the most powerful person in the world, ahead of German Chancellor Angela Merkel in second place and President Obama in third.
"Putin continues to prove he's one of the few men in the world powerful enough to do what he wants — and get away with it," Forbes wrote, noting Russia's annexation of Crimea in 2014 and the country's recent role in the war against the Islamic State.
Obama's power, however, is declining as he nears the end of his tenure in the Oval Office, Forbes says. The president ranks one spot lower on the list than last year — he was beaten by the most powerful woman in the rankings, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, for second place. "As Obama enters the final year of his presidency, it's clear his influence is shrinking and it's a bigger struggle than ever to get things done," Forbes writes.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Pope Francis lands in fourth place, followed by Chinese President Xi Jinping, Microsoft's Bill Gates, Federal Reserve Chairwoman Janet Yellen, and British Prime Minister David Cameron. A notable first-timer to the list this year was Donald Trump, who came in 72nd place out of 73 people.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Judge rules Trump illegally targeted Gaza protesters
Speed Read The Trump administration’s push to arrest and deport international students for supporting Palestine is deemed illegal
-
Trump: US cities should be military ‘training grounds’
Speed Read In a hastily assembled summit, Trump said he wants the military to fight the ‘enemy within’ the US
-
US government shuts down amid health care standoff
Speed Read Democrats said they won’t vote for a deal that doesn’t renew Affordable Care Act health care subsidies
-
YouTube to pay Trump $22M over Jan. 6 expulsion
Speed Read The president accused the company of censorship following the suspension of accounts post-Capitol riot
-
Oregon sues to stop Trump military deployment
Speed Read The president wants to send the National Guard into Portland
-
Trump declares new tariffs on drugs, trucks, furniture
Speed Read He's putting tariffs of 25% on semi trucks, 30% on upholstered furniture, 50% on kitchen and bathroom cabinetry and 100% on certain drugs
-
Amazon reaches ‘historic’ $2.5B Prime settlement
speed read The company allegedly tricked customers into signing up for Prime membership that was then difficult to cancel
-
Trump DOJ indicts Comey, longtime Trump target
Speed Read The president is using the Justice Department to prosecute his political enemies