Forbes rates Putin, Merkel ahead of Obama

At the top of the list is Russia’s President Vladimir Putin, with German Chancellor Angela Merkel as number two and US President Barack Obama as number three.

In recent years, the Russian leader’s popularity has soared as he invaded Georgia, helped rebels seize control of parts of Ukraine and bombed rebels in Syria.

In August, Mr Putin’s domestic approval rating soared to 87 per cent, the highest level in six years, according to an independent polling centre. And internationally, he was outshined by Mrs Merkel in Europe, and outmanoeuvered by Mr Putin in the Middle East.

Pope Francis maintains his rank at No. 4, while Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China, dropped two spots, as compared to a year ago, now at No. 5.

Every year, Forbes publishes the list, which includes financiers, heads of state, entrepreneurs and philanthropists who truly have a global impact.

“That’s how much more powerful I am than you”.

Though USA still leads the world in terms of economic, technological, diplomatic, cultural and military power, President Obama’s influence has started shrinking overseas.

These dimensions rated whether the candidate had power over lots of people, if they controlled large financial resources, if they were powerful in “multiple spheres” and if they actively used that power. Software billionaire Bill Gates has improved his position to become #6 most powerful person on Earth.

“Over the past decade, one trend is clear: gradually less power in the West, gradually more power in the East”, he said.

The Russian President has been so ranked by the magazine for the third year in a row.

Only nine out of the 73 selected world figures were women.

That news may come as a bitter blow to the woman now sitting in 58th place on the list – “presumptive Democratic front-runner in the 2016 presidential race”, Hillary Clinton, who comes just one place behind ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. Yellen last month kept interest rates unchanged at 0-0.25% due to weak economy and called for a possibility of a modest policy tightening in December this year where she expects USA interest rates to be raised from its current record low.