The controversial Russian president batted away competition from O[Mr] bama, Bill Gates and the Pope to claim the top spot on Forbes's annual list of the world's most powerful and influential people.
Mr Putin's strengthening control in Russia has resulted in what Forbes described as a clear "shifting of individual power dynamics", while inaction over Syria and the recent government shutdown has seen Mr Obama lose his influence on the international stage.
Forbes’ judges use four criteria to determine the top leaders: How many they govern; how much money they oversee; how many spheres of influence they tout; and how actively they use their powers to influence and change the world. » | Josie Ensor | Wednesday, October 30, 2013
