Rory Stewart ranks Mugabe and Johnson among history's most evil handshakes

Geopolitical encounters often force diplomats into a physical proximity with darkness. When analyzing the "most evil" figures encountered in international relations, we must look beyond simple malice to the structural damage these individuals inflict upon the world. Evil in a political context isn't a monolith; it manifests through calculated brutality, chaotic violence, or a devastating indifference to the social contract. To categorize these figures is to understand the different ways power can be weaponized against humanity.

Brutal leaders and the machinery of state

Rory Stewart identifies the first tier of evil as the "brutal leader." These are individuals like Suharto and Laurent Kabila who utilized the machinery of the state to enforce their will. Robert Mugabe stands as the archetype of this category. His legacy is defined by the total ruin of Zimbabwe, where a liberation hero transformed into a tyrant, surrounded by sycophants while systematically destroying his nation's economy and civil liberties. The physical act of shaking hands with such a figure is described not just as a diplomatic necessity, but as a visceral encounter with someone who has discarded the value of their own people.

Warlords and the chaos of ground-level violence

Below the heads of state lies the second category: the violent warlord. These are the actors who execute the violence directly. Stewart recalls Abdul Rashid Dostum and leaders of Shia militias in Iraq who would share a meal in the morning and orchestrate an attack by evening. This brand of evil is characterized by its immediacy and its intimate betrayal of trust. It is the violence of the tactical maneuver, where human life is a secondary concern to territorial or sectarian dominance.

The reckless destroyer as a modern sin

Perhaps the most controversial classification is that of the "careless destroyer." Stewart places Boris Johnson in this category, arguing that while Johnson lacks genocidal intent, his profound recklessness constitutes a form of evil. This isn't about blood on hands, but about the erosion of truth and the cavalier treatment of a nation's future, such as the handling of Brexit. When a leader treats the governance of a country as a game or a joke, the resulting systemic damage to social trust and institutional stability can be just as enduring as the scars of more overt violence.

The diplomatic burden of shaking hands

International relations necessitate these uncomfortable rituals. Diplomacy often demands a handshake with those responsible for atrocities. However, recognizing the distinct categories of these figures—from the authoritarian Vladimir Putin to the reckless populist—allows analysts to better understand the specific threats they pose to global order. We must continue to interrogate the moral cost of these interactions and the long-term impact of those who hold power without conscience.