Once upon a time, in the grand theatre of global power, two middle-aged men decided their résumés needed a bit more territorial flair. On the eastern front, Putin launched a war against Ukraine, brushing off international norms like confetti at a wedding — a sovereign state be damned. Meanwhile, on the other side of the map, Trump seemed to glance at the same page in the “Nations You Apparently Can Invade” handbook and thought, “Hold my tweet.” Soon enough, U.S. forces began striking Iran after killing its Supreme Leader, turning centuries-old diplomacy into something resembling a particularly rowdy high-school punch-up.
Putin justified his aggression with a bespoke cocktail of historical revisionism and self-serving geopolitics. Trump defended his actions with a slogan, a wink, and a legal opinion someone scribbled on a napkin. One, according to its critics, attacked a sovereign nation to redraw borders. The other, according to legal scholars, initiated what some called an illegal war that shredded constitutional and international law by its bootstraps.
And yet, with astonishing symmetry, each now lectures the world on order, security, and the rules-based system. Putin thunders about protecting “Russian speakers” while bombing grain silos; Trump proclaims safeguarding democracy while launching missiles beyond his constitutional authority. The realpolitik punchline? When it comes to playground brawls between great powers, the only thing more dangerous than a bully — is one who insists he’s the teacher.
I was trying to figure out exactly who Putin, Trump and Bibi reminded me of and finally the penny dropped. They are like characters from a Marvel or DC universe. Imagine them as models. On one shelf we have Batman, Superman and co. Those three reprobates however would be standing alongside The Joker, Lex Luther and The Penguin. Comic book villains. Breaking the law, filling their vaults with their nations’ gold and causing wars. They tick every box.