THE FINALS:
REYKJAVIK, Iceland - The atmosphere was electric here in Iceland for the highly anticipated finals of Foreign Policy's first ever World Leader March Madness Tournament of Champions, pitting U.S. President Barack Obama against Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin. Not since Bobby Fischer stared down Boris Spassky over a chessboard in 1972 has there been so much excitement in this small, neutral island nation.
Across this small city of 120,000, local residents agreed that Ronald Reagan and Mikhael Gorbachev's historic talks here in 1986 paled by comparison to this U.S.-Russian showdown.
"Since the collapse of our banking sector, our economy has been largely dependent on fishing and Björk," commented President Johanna Sigurdardottir, who did not participate in this year's contest. "We hope that the need for appropriate venues for U.S.-Russia confrontation will once again be a growth industry for us."
This year's contestants were more than the equal of these illustrious predecessors. Obama, who cruised through to the finals facing little resistance from Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper, British Prime Minister David Cameron, and Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff, put the match in perspective.
"Look, this is what it's all come down to," the president said, emerging from Air Force One in grey hooded sweatsuit. "A father from Kenya and a mother from Kansas who taught me the meaning of hard work and fairness, my childhood in Hawaii and Indonesia, my days as a community organizer on the streets of Chicago, the long nights and days of the campaign, the tough debates over healthcare, the economy, and Afghanistan, all so that I can come here to Reykjavik and hand Mr. Putin -- who I have the utmost respect for and consider a close personal friend -- the ass-kicking he so richly deserves."
Putin stealthily arrived in Reykjavik a day before Obama, popping up in the old harbor in a Russian nuclear submarine. But his tournament run has been anything but quiet: He crushed Belarus's Aleksandr Lukashenko and Iran's Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, along the way upsetting the favorite, Hu Jintao of China, in his roll through the dictator's side of the bracket. Putin was uncowed by Obama's tough talk.
"If he dies, he dies," said the prime minister at the pre-game press conference, quoting previous Moscow standard-bearer Ivan Drago and picking his teeth with what appeared to be a harpoon.
After winning the opening coin toss, Obama picked the nature of the first contest of this best-of-three competition, choosing -- unsurprisingly --his preferred sport: half-court basketball.
Despite his aggressive low-post play and prodigious talent at trash-talking -- "You learn this at madrassa?" and "You play defense like Saakashvili!" were among the taunts heard from the sidelines -- the 5'7" Russian was little match for his taller and more skilled opponent. Obama took Round 1, 21-7.
For the second round of competition, it was widely expected that Putin would choose his own favorite sport, judo. But the Russian leader had a surprise up his sleeve: Round 2 wasn't on the mat, but on the stage -- in a karaoke sing-off.
"A true man must not display his emotions... except in karaoke," said Putin, exchanging his basketball jersey for a black turtleneck and handing the mic to his rival.
Obama, clearly caught off guard, warbled passably but uninspiredly through his campaign anthem, Stevie Wonder's "Signed, Sealed, Delivered." The real show was about to begin.
Amid a barrage of laser-lights and bellowing smoke machines, the Russian leader descended to the stage on cables accompanied by a young flame-haired young woman in a miniskirt and a halter-top emblazoned with the double-headed eagle coat of arms of Peter the Great.
"How did he book Anna Chapman on such short notice?" a visibly stunned Obama wondered aloud.
The two veteran spies belted out a rousing rendition of ABBA's "Take a Chance on Me" accompanied by a synchronized dance routine that was the stuff of Eurovision dreams.
Even before guest judge Simon Cowell could weigh in, the result was clear. This competition for world domination was headed for the traditional tie-breaker: a knife-fight on the edge of an active volcano.
Despite Obama's recent weeks of training with former Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel, the format was ideally suited to Putin, who retains formidable street-fighting skills from his hardscrabble Leningrad youth.
As Eyjafjallajokull belched acrid smoke into the clear Arctic sky, it became clear that the U.S. president could only hope to parry his adversary's jabs as he was backed closer and closer to the crater.
Wobbling on the lip of the volcano, with a pit of bubbling hot lava behind him, the leader of the free world appeared done for, but the night's surprises were not over.
"Vova, stop!" a voice cried out.
"Dmitry Anatolyavich, how did you find us here?" replied Putin, looking over his shoulder while thrusting his saber at Obama.
"I hacked your e-mail," said President Dmitry Medvedev. "Did you really think ‘ABBAfan' was a secure password?"
"What do you want?"
"I've come to stop this madness. Why must you fight to the death just so some American magazine can attract pageviews to its website? The Cold War is over. Think of all the problems we could solve if we worked together. Isn't that what the reset is all about?"
"Reset this," replied Putin, as he lunged forward for the final strike. Just then, Medvedev, exercising hitherto unobserved catlike reflexes, pushed Obama out of the way, sending an off-balance Putin barreling down into the flames below.
Clearly shaken, Obama turned to his savior. "Look Dmitry, I guess what I'm saying is, if I can change, and you can change..."
"Don't make me regret this, Barack," interrupted Medvedev.
The two walked down the mountain arm-in-arm and were spotted at several Reykjavik establishments later that night, enjoying a traditional Icelandic runtur.
And thus U.S. President Barack Obama was named Foreign Policy's inaugural March Madness Champion. And here in Reykjavik, the good citizens of this small city are once again hopeful that the tidings will bring about a new era of world peace.
But a smattering of unverifiable reports have fishermen from the Icelandic town of Olafsfjordur claiming that, in the pre-dawn hours, they saw a strapping, somewhat balding man holding a spear of molten lava astride a scaled sea beast that emerged from the bowels of the Earth.
The fearsome creature appeared to be headed on a direct course back to Arkhangelsk, perhaps indicating that this new era of détente may be even shorter-lived than the last one.
Your 2011 March Madness Dictator vs. Democrat Champion: President Barack Obama ... for now.
Thanks to everyone for playing, especially the hundreds of avid readers who submitted brackets. We'll be tabulating scores throughout this week under the strict supervision of the OSCE and Jimmy Carter. Contest winners will be announced on Friday.
(43)
HIDE COMMENTS LOGIN OR REGISTER REPORT ABUSE
CAMAELJAX
8:40 PM ET
March 17, 2011
'Democrats' who prop-up dictators
Considering the supposed 'Democrats' the US and UK are the biggest supporters, funders, and armers of dictators like Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Bahrain, Israel, Colombia, Georgia, etc. and until it was all over - Egypt and Tunisia...isn't this whole juvenile exercise more than a little hypocritical and ridiculous.
XMASTER4000
9:04 PM ET
March 17, 2011
Keep the bitterness to yourself
Colombia doesn't have a dictatorship, nor anything remotely resembling it. As a Colombian citizen, I'm surprised and saddened by your accusations just as I would assume an Israeli or Georgian would be. At least in Colombia and Israel its clear their political structures are elected by and try to represent the will of their populations rather than the will of an autocrat, and last time I checked, that's the essence of the (deeply flawed, rigid and messy) democratic system.
JMAM2503
9:37 PM ET
March 17, 2011
Colombia- Dictatorship?
I am also Colombian and I also think you are not well informed about my country. Colombia is a democracy, with failures due to the influences of terrorist groups (of right and left wings) in some poor regions of the country, but most people can actually vote free, tell their opinions freely and their rights are guaranteed by the constitution. The government has been hard with terrorists but that's what it must be done to preserve democracy. We have a plural political system, with 8 different political parties, constitutional representation in congress for indigenous peoples, separation of powers, State-Church separation, etcetera.
SHABTAI260
9:09 PM ET
March 21, 2011
israel is NOT a Dictatorship
Israel is one of the few Middle East countries that have had fair elections and is an actual democracy.
Just take this section from Tom Friedman's op-ed http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/02/opinion/02friedman.html?partner=rssnyt&emc=rss
"Israel—The Arab TV network Al Jazeera has a big team covering Israel today. Here are some of the stories they have been beaming into the Arab world: Israel’s previous prime minister, Ehud Olmert, had to resign because he was accused of illicitly taking envelopes stuffed with money from a Jewish-American backer. An Israeli court recently convicted Israel’s former president Moshe Katsav on two counts of rape, based on accusations by former employees. And just a few weeks ago, Israel, at the last second, rescinded the appointment of Maj. Gen. Yoav Galant as the army’s new chief of staff after Israeli environmentalists spurred a government investigation that concluded General Galant had seized public land near his home. (You can see his house on Google Maps!) This surely got a few laughs in Egypt where land sales to fat cats and cronies of the regime that have resulted in huge overnight profits have been the talk of Cairo this past year. When you live right next to a country that is bringing to justice its top leaders for corruption and you live in a country where many of the top leaders are corrupt, well, you notice."
AMADIB
11:38 AM ET
March 22, 2011
Look...
It is sad to see any paper that hedges on it's reputation of being the truth bearer and impartiality take repeated jabs and effort to clearly take sides or float the same line of officials. I enjoy reading the occasional opinion piece but not when mixed into other reporting. I was surprisingly disturbed by the article below published last year ranking the worlds worst leaders - and how it perpetuates the demented perception between a dictatorship and democracy. It can be compared to the west's conflicting double standards regarding foreign policy (o the irony).
http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2010/06/21/the_worst_of_the_worst?page=full
FP surprising
However demented it maybe the tournament bracket is, just like the college hoops, we don't pick the rankings or draws. I thankfully know the difference between a dictatorship and a democracy and playing the tournament for fun. I would suggest that your employees take "government sensitivity training" - so in the future to place a "democracy" regardless of how flawed, in the right category rather than labeling one as a dictatorship. Then the world can seriously work towards understanding rather than casting accusations.
In other news, I got all the "dictators" right - how telling.
BRET
9:22 PM ET
March 17, 2011
This is...awesome
Thank you FP. March Madness couldn't be better.
SILVER_QUEEN
11:25 PM ET
March 17, 2011
I'm just here for the Putin
I'm just here for the Putin jokes.
Poor Dima.
PRIDEAUX
2:00 AM ET
March 20, 2011
If bush were still in office,
If bush were still in office, the possibilities of mixing his Jean Poutine gaffe with Putin's name would be endless. Sorry in advance if I just got way too Canadian on anyone with this.
Now if you'll excuse me, I crave La Banquiste.
BRAZIL_WATCH
1:12 PM ET
March 23, 2011
Dilma is quick putting Lula to oblivion
I didn't vote for her, but I am happy to say that President Dilma has been doing an excellent job.
She maintained the Economy as she received from Lula, who in turn maintained what he had received from Fernando Henrique Cardoso.
She has stricter moral values than Lula. She works harder, and talks less.
One notable divergence between her Government and Lula's is in the foreign relations.
Dilma is slowly moving away from Iran, Cuba and other dictatorships that Lula loved so much.
Recently, President Obama visited Brazil.
Dilma and Obama spoke briefly, but seem to have signed important agreements, and above all they showed intentions to improve relations.
Lula was invited to meet Obama, but declined (on the grounds that he had to visit his son; in reality, he wanted to show discontentment because Obama visited Dilma after just three months in office).
ASCHOPS
3:25 PM ET
March 23, 2011
@Brazil_watch
She's not putting anyone to oblivion. Her popularity levels are still half those of Lula. And please tell me, what is there to celebrate in her administration thus far? Budget cuts in education, in science and technology, in defense? Or is it the interest rates hike, which will force the government to spend more in debt payments in spite of its austerity efforts? Do you praise her just because the conservative, mainstream media has been sucking up to her? And do you bash Lula just because the very same media persecuted him? Do your opinions always match those of media commentators?
Oh if you care so much about human rights, tell me, what is there to praise in a rapproachment with the US and a cooling of relations with Iran? God, at least Ahmadinejad persecuted no one but his own people. The US, on the other hand, harms primarily foreign citizens with its illegal wars and interventions.
NNDREZA
3:24 AM ET
March 18, 2011
bahrain king
where is Bahrain`s king in this comparison ;))
NICOLAS19
3:41 AM ET
March 18, 2011
why is Obama in the democrat list?
I thought waging aggressive wars and maintaining concentration camps were definite the characteristics of a dictator.
Naturally, I wouldn't after such a start, but I'm in for the fun.
JNEWSHAM
10:10 AM ET
March 18, 2011
This is easy
Putin wins every match, duh. He uses his martial arts skills to break everyone's neck in the blink of an eye.
DOUGLASLEE
2:40 PM ET
March 18, 2011
Doesn't he look into their
Doesn't he look into their eyes first?
DRSTUPID
1:26 PM ET
March 18, 2011
Harper KO on the 12th
Obama has been on a rocky boat in these last 3 years, but he still manage an admirable job keeping himself afloat.
Harper, on the other hand, seems like the image of stability. But this rock statue has a fragile base: Harper is still leader of a minority government. His image abroad might remain strong, but local affairs are showing cracks. His government's current handling of ministries has been violently criticized, to the point that the Speaker of the House has to personally step in to bring Harper's Tories back in line. He has been criticized for his overhanded media censoring. His environmental roadmap has been the subject of ridicule across the world. His foreign policies have been openly protectionist of Canada's economic interests, with little regard to diplomatic impacts. Canada remains a minor country, and it seems more and more likely that it will be kicked out in the corner until it behaves on the international level, in the same cavalier manner it was kicked out of the U.N. Security Council.
Every sign point out to an early spring election in Harper's case. He is still the favorite to win this election by far, mostly because of a conflicted and ineffectual opposition. But he is still very unlikely to emerge triumphant with more than 40% of the popular vote.
Obama wins this round because, despite constant bumbling mistakes, he is genuinely working for america on the international stage. Harper on the other hand is actively painting himself into a corner.
ONEUNSTUCKINTIME
2:11 AM ET
March 20, 2011
Oh Harper
As much as I, as a Canadian, disapprove of virtually everything Harper stands for, I can't say I'm all that sad about being left out of the Hague's Security Council. The whole thing's a joke anyway, a massive platform for to play politics. Good riddance to bad rubbish.
LIFELINE
1:47 AM ET
March 21, 2011
You forget some key points about the Canadian System...
Canadian Prime Ministers are as close to dictators amongst legitimate democracies as you can come. Ask any expert (I'm not one, but have studied it, and most studies show Canadian prime ministers have the most power amongst Parliamentary Democracies). I say Harper wins over Obama due to Prime Ministerial power that allow prime ministers to fast track democratic process and get policies complete. They can do such things through the Privy Council Office and the numerous patronage jobs the Prime Minister has a hold over. It has also been ridiculously easy for Prime Ministers to remain in power since the 1980's as records show. Opposition parties, as you have noted, are in shambles.
With the system that U.S., from my understanding and certainly in relation to Canada, the President has a lot more hurtles to cross when it comes to opposition towards policies and decisions. Especially against the notoriously uncompromisable republicans, where as Democrats tend to crumble.
The criteria I'd be using is the amount of stable, policy power a leader can hold, and in my opinion, Harper wins outright even if he holding a minority, there is no politically faltering of Harper in the foreseeable future. It is also undeniable that Harper does wield more direct power in the Canadian system, than Obama in the American system, in terms of domestic issues and policies.
IMENEVAZNO
2:05 PM ET
March 18, 2011
"Real" vs. "Imaginary" Prince
The distinction is not always so clear--there are many shades of gray, as this cartoon can clearly illustrate.
http://www.harpweek.com/09Cartoon/BrowseByDateCartoon-Large.asp?Month=September&Date=22
SACB.
3:59 PM ET
March 18, 2011
Thank you
For giving me a chance to fill out a new bracket. My NCAA predictions have not been very successful-- hope this goes better! My hypothetical money is on Manmohan Singh. Education, youth, geographical location, economic growth-- anyone with me??
TORO
4:57 PM ET
March 18, 2011
Game 1
Asked about two 'in contempt of parliament' rulings by the speaker earlier this week, Harper offered, "You win some, you lose some".
Failure in every way. Obama has so much more swagger.
NOT_TOO_CREATIVE
6:19 PM ET
March 18, 2011
Not really dictators...
Chávez and Putin each have some authoritarian tendencies but both of them have been democratically elected (repeatedly). Just because they are disagreeable people doesn't mean that they are dictators. When they start actually rigging elections, then they will be dictators. But for now, the people have spoken, and we should respect the result.
JMAM2503
4:29 PM ET
March 20, 2011
Hitler was also
Hitler was also democratically elected.
SAM FROM CALIFORNIA
6:44 PM ET
March 18, 2011
Calderon and Chavez
Funny how Calderon is on the democrat list and chavez is on the dictator list, when it is Calderon who is using the military on his own people.
CLANAD
1:29 PM ET
March 19, 2011
OK some Mexican politic classes.. ;)
OK Sam..just a quick round:
1.- Calderon is using the military against the drug dealers (weather we like the strategy or not) with the approval that actually the constitutions gives him because of the democratic mandate he had as president of the nation for 6 years.
2.- He is receiving heavy criticism and is gonna by accountable for the years to come.
3.- He is gonna leave the office in 6 years with a DEMOCRATIC process...something that other Venezuelan leader doesnt want.
4.- He doesnt have the majority in the congress..heck even more than the half of the governors are from other parties.
5.- Oh yeah..freedom of sepach and actually we have independent media ( ok some monopolistic media but is private)
See you Sam!
LIGAN THAURIA
4:06 PM ET
March 23, 2011
Objection
Well...
1. Many critics have pointed out that the chief of state needs the approval of congress to initiate a "war" (the excuse to use the armed forces inside the country), this is true for both american and mexican law. Calderon now insists he never mentionned the word "war" though this "guerra contra el narco" has been just that, a pointless and senseless military operation. The correct and rational way to deal with such problem is the use of undercover operations, intelligence; not tanks and soldiers.
2. "accountable for the years to come."? Doubtful. The mexican political system doesn't go after ex-presidents. That would be a first. Think about Salinas, even after the famous comments De la Madrid made a year or so ago. (If anyone cares about mexican internal politics look up that case)
3. Calderon isn't leaving office in six years, he's leaving office in 2012. What are you talking about?
4. Yes.
5. *Some* monopolistic media? Son, what country do you live in? There is practically NO independent media in Mexico, with very, very few exceptions. They're all corrupt, ESPECIALLY Televisa and TV Azteca. It is pathetic and I shall not talk more about it because I love my country and I am too heavy-hearted to discuss it further.
THE_TRUTH
7:37 AM ET
March 20, 2011
Dictators???
Really, I am stunned! A lot of the people included on the dictators list were democratically elected, Hugh Chavez for example. You would think a site that called itself Foreign Policy would be able to differentiate between the two. It's concerning because it also misleads and misinforms your readers. Just because you (the author of this piece) might not agree with their policies doesn't make them any less democratic.
HASANHOSEINI
9:18 AM ET
March 20, 2011
March Madness
poor Ahmadinejad is not a dictator.He is just writting the dictate that somebody else is dictating to him.
GFIL
4:10 PM ET
March 20, 2011
Judging
Don't over analyze the characterization of democrats or dictators. This is simply a fun exercise that is intentionally poking fun at world governments.
With that said I think the judges should favor the leaders who push the envelope. For example, Merkel’s background in science and being a woman. This also applies to the “dictators” who push the envelope in other ways (ex: being particularly oppressive).
Leaders who find it difficult to keep control of their personal lives or their pants shouldn’t be supported. (Pushing the envelope on statutory rape shouldn’t count Berlusconi).
SHYAMG22
4:48 PM ET
March 20, 2011
Brackets
Game 1: Obama.
Game 2: Sarkozy. I would've given this to merkel, but Sarkozy has taken a leadership role in the North Korean conflict. Whilst I believe Merkel did the right thing in abstaining, this will hurt German relations with the west going forward.
Game 3: Berlusconi. Teflon don and all that jazz. Weathier, pulls better birds, owns AC Milan, in a less stressful company..who wouldn't want to be Italian PM.
Game 4: Gillard.
Game 5: Saleh. He doesn't have B2's flying over his head and tomohawks raining down on him.
Game 6: Abdullah. Has the west eating out of the palm of his hand.
Game 7: Mugabe. Still in power.
Game 8: Gbagbo
Game 9: Rousseff, poised to take brazil to new heights.
Game 10: De Kirchner..have you seen her? We need some eye candy in the wonk business.
Game 11: Singh. Superb balancing act between managing indian growth, us trading interests, russian military interests. An intelligent tiger.
ame 12: Rasmussen.
Game 13: Putin. Power personified.
Game 14: Shwe
Game 15: Jintao (the eventual winner of my bracket).
Game 16: Chavez
Game 17: Obama. Though sarkozy sabre-rattles, he needs obama's support to do anything of note.
........
Final four, obama, singh, abdullah, jintao. Leaders of the two most dynamic economies, one with the largest democracy, the leader of the free world, and the most bulletproof monarch whom the west kowtow's to.
Jintao beats abdullah for me due to abdullah's age.
Obama beats singh because at the end of the day, obama faces greater issues that shape actors around te world.
Jintao vs. obama......jintao wins. the chinese juggarnaut has too much momentum (though overheating propery markets are not desirable).
CPPTHIS
8:57 PM ET
March 20, 2011
my picks
World leader showdown, outcome based on a combination of policy and lulz.
Game 1: Obama. Say what you will about his politics, but Barry's a spry dude and Harper just can't deliver the goods.
Game 2: Sarkozy. Winning a match takes energy and spunk, and Sarko has that in spades.
Game 3: Berlusconi. The man's a player, and I'm not just talking about basketball.
Game 4: Zuma. Gillard gives a strong performance, but Zuma roars ahead while she's still fighting through intra-party resistance.
Game 5: Gaddafi. The old man starts giving out halfway through, only to be saved by his 40 hot bodyguards.
Game 6: Ahmadinejad. He's made it pretty clear he'll go ten rounds with anyone, and the Saudi just can't keep up.
Game 7: Mugabe. The man has staying power, meanwhile Al-Bashir can't keep his own house in order.
Game 8: Gbagbo. He's got a rock-solid defense, and Mbasogo has grown soft playing with his huge piles of cash. Dough makes you doughy, yeah?
Game 9: Rousseff. Being an acutal leftist fighter means she knows how to knock some heads; Caleron relies too much on his federales for the heavy lifting.
Game 10: Santos. He calls in some Colombian gentlement to "persuade" Kirchner to his way of thinking. Besides, we've all seen what ultimately happens when Argentina gets into it with the UK...
Game 11: Myung-bak. Singh is just too old to keep up.
Game 12: Rasmussen. Ki-moon just can't match the horsepower.
Game 13: Putin. This one's pretty easy, he just charges his opponent for a no-holds-barred beatdown.
Game 14: Jong-il. Shwe was mysteriously kidnapped on his way to the matchup, never to be heard from again.
Game 15: Berdimuhamedov. Paranoia tends to give one an impenetrable defense, granting the Turkmeni a slow-but-sure attrition win.
Game 16: Chavez. Does anyone even know if the Castros are still alive? Fatboy wins a no-show.
Game 17: Sarkozy. He charges ahead where Obama dithers, zigs where his opponent zags and feints his way to victory.
Game 18: Berlusconi. It's a dirty, ugly fight but the Italian stallion squeaks it out in the end.
Game 19: Rousseff. Once again, Santos sends his associates but this time they get more than they bargained for.
Game 20: Myung-bak. Rasmussen gets off to a powerful start, only to peter out as he discovers all his tanks use Korean electronics.
Game 21: Ahmadinejad. Simple numbers game; the Shiite's 72 virgins beat Gaddafi's 40.
Game 22: Mugabe. Gbagbo is good, but he just doesn't have the benefit of three decades of experience.
Game 23: Putin. Lil' Kim sends his goons out again, but Bad Vlad catches them with a wicked chokehold before delivering a Bear Punch to the Korean dictator's face.
Game 24: Chavez. Both give it their best, but it comes down to a split decision with the refs siding the guy whose name they can actually spell.
Game 25: Berlusconi. The Frenchman gets off to a blistering start, only to break down in tears after Burlesque-oni reveals he shagged his hot wife last night.
Game 26: Myung-bak. The feisty Brazillian warrior goes down to a withering economic onslaught.
Game 27: Ahmadinejad. The stalwart African finally runs afoul of someone even better at posturing and showboating than him.
Game 28: Chavez. The Russian strongman's moves just bounce off his opponent's considerable bulk. Sometimes size does matter.
Game 29: Myung-bak. Exploits his opponent's weakness by revealing he's just cornered the world's Viagra supply.
Game 30: Chavez. The Iranian rants his way to the Final Four, only to discover that some people just aren't intimidated by it. Hugo wins an oily victory.
Game 31: And the grand champion is...LEE MYUNG-BAK! Chavez starts strong, leveraging his oil reserves to put him ahead. But the Korean counters with technology, hacking much of the big man's infrastructure into pudding. Chavez' lack of skilled labor puts him at a distinct disadvantage, forcing him to rely on brute strength and force of will. It's a close one, but the slayer from Seoul takes the prize. Good thing he didn't end up facing his nemesis across the border...
TIMARAMA
9:13 PM ET
March 22, 2011
Good job so far FP
Thanks FP for running this. Notwithstanding my only average showing (got 4 of my guys/gal into the elite eight) it's a lot of fun and I'm learning a bit as well. Not that it matters for the game at this point but in the spirit of competitive sportsmanship I'm going to gripe a little about the Muammar al-Qaddafi vs. Mahmoud Ahmadinejad ruling: I say Qaddafi has more heavy lifting on his immediate plate (actual airstrikes) than does Ahmadinejad. So, wish I'd realized to weight smoothness over busyness. Again, thanks and keep it going.
303D
4:57 PM ET
March 23, 2011
Making a case for Obama over Rousseff in Final Four
Okay Rousseff has a a nice run but Cinderellas die in the final four. I'm sorry i don't make the rules, that's just how it is. Plus she is there largely due to the "Obama bump". it has been good for her up till now but it cuts the other way when she is up against him. Lets not forget the economic bump either. the US is still the largest direct investor to the Brazilian economy.
Now, unless the headlines read tomorrow that Obama has decided to propose a bill that would cut agricultural subsidies as a result of his Brazilian tour - I think Obama has to take this one.
ASCHOPS
8:11 PM ET
March 23, 2011
Well, the US might be the
Well, the US might be the largest foreign investor in Brazil, but the US Treasury owes Brazil some 195 billion dollars in debt bonds. US unemployment is very high for a developed country, whilst Brazilian unemployment, at 6% of the working age population, is the lowest in the Western Hemisphere. But of course the US is still one of the most developed nations in the world.
Other than that, I can't decide between the two, Rousseff and Obama, because they're just too similar: two "leftists" who constantly disappoint their true supporters - the left, without which none of them could have been elected - by making major concessions to the financial market.
AR
4:04 PM ET
March 24, 2011
FP is a fully anti-Russian
FP is a fully anti-Russian venture and this article further cements their status as the idiot's/simpleton's Foreign Affairs.
AR
4:22 PM ET
March 24, 2011
And P.S. China is not
And P.S. China is not militarily more powerful than Russia, they still have a long way to go.
ANON45
8:55 PM ET
March 24, 2011
Comparison
the challenge to his authority by Medvedev, and the seeming ease with which the rest of the media seemed to follow him. It is undeniable that Putin was forced to backtrack, and Medvedev as a challenge to Putin does seem to have gotten a breath of fresh air, as well as US Russia relations (from my own perspective).
That said Obama has arrived back home to find a bit of an insurrection himself in the halls of congress. People from both sides of the isle are criticizing him. That said he has recently managed to broker/help broker the transition of command of Libya ops to NATO, a point in his favor.
My prediction is an upset Obama win. Putin comes out strong but is shockingly derailed by Medvedev just as Obama pulls ahead for the win.
TIMARAMA
3:15 PM ET
March 27, 2011
A recommendation for next year
Thanks again FP - this has been interesting, doesn't even matter that I didn't do as well as expected. Only recommendation is that a rule be established that each year's winner is excluded from the next (1) year's competition (and sits off to the side of the bracket). There are several valid and different reasons for this suggestion. Great job!
NICOLAS19
2:16 AM ET
March 29, 2011
you wouldn't have guessed the outcome, wouldn't you?
An American site where a non-American could be a winner... yeah, I know, it's too futuristic even in 2011. You just had to make Obama the winner, who would "win the future" otherwise?
This piece is worthless.
LIFELINE
3:44 PM ET
March 29, 2011
Why so serious?
I find some of the responses more humorous then this joke of a piece... I'm not saying joke in an insulting way... this piece is literally a joke. Of course it has some serious undertones to it, but are people really going to get frustrated about this outcome?
Although, I do agree this was a predictable outcome. I personally would have liked to see both sides lose in that dramatic fight, but I guess some would think that's too dark of a tone to end with.
ASCHOPS
4:06 AM ET
March 29, 2011
Obama is a despicable weakling.
A ridiculous outcome.
SILVER_QUEEN
6:43 PM ET
March 29, 2011
oh my god
THIS IS THE BEST THING THAT HAS EVER EXISTED.
"You play defense like Saakashvili!"
I DIED. I AM DEAD. NEVER SHALL I LIVE AGAIN.
Dima pulling a Luke Skywalker on Putin is like something taken out of my dreams. I don't think I can accept reality anymore after this.
DOMINOMAN
7:20 PM ET
April 16, 2011
It is undeniable that Putin
It is undeniable that Putin was forced to backtrack, and Medvedev as a challenge to Putin does seem to have gotten a breath of fresh air, as well as US Russia relations (from my own perspective).That said Obama has arrived back home to find a bit of an insurrection himself in the halls of congress. stavkove kancelariePeople from both sides of the isle are criticizing him. That said he has recently managed to broker/help broker the transition of command of Libya ops to NATO, a point in his favor.My prediction is an upset Obama win. Putin comes out strong but is shockingly derailed by Medvedev just as Obama pulls ahead for the win.Other than that, I can't decide between the two, Rousseff and Obama, because they're just too similar: two "leftists" who constantly disappoint their true supporters - the left, without which none of them could have been elected - by making major concessions to the financial market.Ask any expert (I'm not one, but have studied it, and most studies show Canadian prime ministers have the most power amongst Parliamentary Democracies). I say Harper wins over Obama stavkove kancelarie due to Prime Ministerial power that allow prime ministers to fast track democratic process and get policies complete. They can do such things through the Privy Council Office and the numerous patronage jobs the Prime Minister has a hold over. It has also been ridiculously easy for Prime Ministers to remain in power since the 1980's as records show. Opposition parties, as you have noted, are in shambles.With the system that U.S., from my understanding and certainly in relation to Canada, the President has a lot more hurtles to cross when it comes to opposition towards policies and decisions. Especially against the notoriously uncompromisable republicans, where as Democrats tend to crumble.
TREMENDO
5:40 PM ET
April 23, 2011
Obama vs Castro
I want to watch this match, also I want to buy the videos of this match. Castro is the oldest dictator and want to see Obama fighting diplomatically against fidel.