Putin Xi Trump

“There are three dangerous men on the planet, Putin, Xi and Trump.” My friend Ian.

Images are representative only, of the countries, Russia, China and United States America.

Until I had lunch with friends, I thought I was the only person who thought this way. Without prompting my friend repeated verbally what I had thought since Trump was given a second term. If two of us think there are three really dangerous men on this planet, there must be others out there. Yes, of course there are many others who have had the same thought.

Kings, Queens, Pharaohs, Dictators, Chiefs, strong leaders all controlled populations throughout history. Increasing territory through exploration, subjugation or war was how these leaders grew their empires. The Roman and British Empires are two that increased their territory through conquest. Both have passed into history.

Putin Xi Trump

Putin and Xi are dictators in their own lands, remaining as authoritarians until death. Trump by his actions and declarations wants to be a dictator for life. His path to authoritarianism will not be a foregone conclusion, although by routing government agencies and destroying the economy of the country he is setting the stage to conquer. All three, Putin, Xi and Trump control the nuclear weapons that could destroy the world as we know it.

Putin invading Ukraine is the first of these dangerous men to go to war to increase Russian territory. Trump has thrown his moral support behind Putin, even as he continues military support to Ukraine.

Xi has not taken such an overt move but has threatened Taiwan through his continued military harassment beyond international borders in air and sea. He has claimed Taiwan belongs to China and will be reoccupied.

They don’t care.

The lives of young men sent into war are no more than cannon fodder. Russian deaths in Ukraine are estimated to be between 200 thousand and 250 thousand. The figure rises to 900 thousand when the wounded and injured are included. Ukraine casualties, death and wounded, are estimated at 400 thousand. Verified civilian deaths in Ukraine stand at 12605 to 31 January 2025. In WW2 six million civilians of Jewish descent were slaughtered in concentration camps. Millions more lost their lives, both civilian and military in WW2.

Why would it be any different today, the scale of loss would be unimaginable, with so many nuclear weapons controlled by these three dangerous men. It will not take much for the invasion of Ukraine to turn into a full-scale world war. Trumps undermining of the United States government and military institutions, only emboldens Putin and Xi to follow through with their plans to establish a new world order. It is beyond their wildest dreams to have an ally in Trump and his weak, selfish enablers.

I asked this question of Google AI, “What factors makes a dictator or want to be dictator dangerous?”

The reply is as I expected, it describes Trump and his cronies perfectly.

A dictator, or aspiring dictator, can be incredibly dangerous due to a combination of factors related to their power, ideology, and personality. Here's a breakdown of what makes them so threatening:

1. Unchecked Power & Authority:

• Suppression of Dissent: Dictatorships are defined by the absence of meaningful checks and balances. This allows the dictator to silence opposition, crush dissent, and eliminate any potential threats to their power. This can range from censorship and propaganda to imprisonment, torture, and extrajudicial killings of opponents.

• Erosion of Rule of Law: Dictators often dismantle independent judiciaries, manipulate legal systems, and operate above the law. This creates a climate of impunity, where they and their loyalists can commit abuses without fear of accountability.

• Control of Security Forces: Dictators ensure the loyalty of the military, police, and intelligence agencies, often through patronage, indoctrination, or fear. These forces become instruments of repression, enforcing the dictator's will and suppressing any challenge to their authority.

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2. Ideology & Vision:

• Messianic Beliefs: Dictators often possess an unshakable belief in their own righteousness and the necessity of their rule for the "greater good." This messianic complex can justify extreme actions in their minds.

• Us vs. Them Mentality: Dictators frequently construct a narrative that divides society into "us" (the loyal supporters) and "them" (the enemies of the state, often scapegoated minorities or foreign powers). This fosters hatred, encourages violence against perceived enemies, and consolidates support for the dictator.

• Nationalism & Expansionism: Extreme nationalism, often coupled with expansionist ambitions, can lead to aggressive foreign policy, armed conflicts, and the violation of international norms. Dictators may seek to reclaim "lost territories," spread their ideology, or simply assert their dominance on the world stage.

• Cult of Personality: Dictators cultivate a cult of personality, using propaganda, indoctrination, and manipulation of the media to create an image of themselves as all-knowing, benevolent leaders. This stifles critical thinking and discourages opposition.

  
  

3. Personality Traits & Psychological Factors:

• Narcissism: Dictators often exhibit high levels of narcissism, characterized by an inflated sense of self-importance, a need for admiration, and a lack of empathy. This can lead to reckless decision-making and a disregard for the well-being of others.

• Paranoia: Dictators may be plagued by paranoia, constantly suspecting conspiracies and plots against them. This can lead to purges, executions, and a climate of fear within their inner circle.

• Machiavellianism: Dictators often possess a Machiavellian nature, willing to use manipulation, deception, and violence to achieve their goals. They view others as pawns to be used and discarded.

• Lack of Empathy: A deficit in empathy makes it easier for dictators to inflict suffering on others. They are often indifferent to the plight of those they oppress and may even derive satisfaction from their power.

• Desire for Legacy: Some dictators are driven by a desire to leave a lasting legacy, which can lead to grandiose projects, wars, and other actions designed to secure their place in history. This desire can override rational considerations and lead to destructive outcomes.

  
  

4. Economic & Social Factors:

• Exploitation of Resources: Dictatorships often involve the systematic exploitation of natural resources and the economy for the benefit of the ruling elite. This can lead to widespread poverty, inequality, and social unrest.

• Corruption: Corruption is rampant in many dictatorships, as officials use their positions to enrich themselves and their allies. This weakens institutions, undermines economic development, and fuels resentment.

• Social Divisions: Dictators can exploit existing social divisions (ethnic, religious, or economic) to maintain their power. By pitting groups against each other, they prevent the formation of a united opposition.

• Propaganda & Control of Information: Dictatorships control the flow of information through state-controlled media and censorship, shaping public opinion and suppressing alternative narratives. This makes it difficult for people to organize and resist.

  
  

5. International Context:

• Support from External Actors: Dictators may receive support from foreign governments or organizations that share their ideology or have strategic interests in the region. This support can provide them with the resources and legitimacy they need to stay in power.

• Lack of International Pressure: The international community may be unwilling or unable to intervene in a dictatorship due to political considerations, economic interests, or a lack of consensus. This allows the dictator to act with impunity.

  
  

In summary, a dictator's danger stems from their ability to wield unchecked power, their often-extremist ideologies, their potentially destructive personality traits, and their exploitation of economic, social, and international factors. This combination can lead to widespread human rights abuses, economic devastation, and regional instability.

My Thoughts

Social media, populism, individualism, a willing blindness to what the divisive character of Trump has always been, a scorning attitude toward law and order, the justice system and the US Constitution, with the backing of oligarchs like Musk and others have all helped to put criminal Trump back in power. His actions, big lies and business history should have warned voters of what a second term would result in. Trump inferring President Barack Obama was an illegal immigrant, not born in the United States was the first signal I noted of Trump’s character. I couldn’t believe someone of the standing of Trump could deliberately undermine an incumbent United States President. His campaign leading into the 2024 elections was full of half-truths and lies. Now many who voted for him are on the verge of losing their businesses and farms, while others have lost their jobs because of Musk and DOGE.

Little by little Trump will lead you down a slippery slope. In this case little by little doesn’t apply, Trump is moving so fast in destroying government checks and balances, that the slope to the utter destruction of the USA is almost upon you, the citizens of the USA.