Here’s Why Vladimir Putin Is The World’s Most Powerful Person, No Matter What America Does

by Joseph Saraceno

PUTJUUS President Barack Obama came in second.

Russian President Vladimir Putin came in first.

For one, he has a remarkable grip on power. He became prime minister in 1999. That gig lasted until 2000, when he switched to president, which lasted until 2008. Then he became prime minister again — until 2012. He then went back to being the president of Russia, an office he’s held since May 2012. MORE