#40 Ali Hoseini-Khamenei
Grand Ayatollah
Shi'a
Iran
Age: 70
Talk of Iranian President Ahmadinejad misses the point, real power vested in Supreme Leader. Shadowy cleric, former president himself, has ruled Iran with iron fist since 1979. Has final say in all matters church, state, nuclear. Testing Obama's national security leadership. Power waning post-election, though—called Ahmadinejad win "divine victory," then capitulated to protesters. Even go-to blame-U.S. strategy not working: Annual anti-American rallies commemorating siege of U.S. embassy were hijacked by anti-government protests. Most popular protester slogan: "Death to the dictator."
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