The phenomenon of these long-ruling leaders spans continents and decades, weaving a complex tale of ambition, strategy, and survival. Africa stands as a compelling epicentre of political endurance.

Ms. Frantz, Ms. Kendall-Taylor and Mr. Wright are the authors of “The Origins of Elected Strongmen: How Personalist Parties Destroy Democracy From Within.” When President Trump and President Xi ...

Syria's free-market opening benefits traders in former rebel stronghold Idlib In Damascus, some businesses used to Assad's protectionism fear opening Economic opening has fuelled some resentment of ...

The toppling of Bashar al-Assad in Syria shattered the illusion that stability in the Middle East can be sustained through brute force. The Syrian regime was one of the most brutal in the world. Its ...

DAMASCUS — Naveen Mahmoud was out running errands when an alarmed neighbor called: The conservative Muslim rebels who ousted Syria's dictator late last year had arrived to shut down the trendy ...

Long before modern presidents, kings, or prime ministers, early civilizations were ruled by leaders who combined political, religious, and military authority. These rulers often became legendary, ...