Modern World Leaders – serie

There were moments in Ariel Sharon's astonishingly successful military career when he had an incredible way of pulling victory from the jaws of defeat. But he has also been blasted for actions that have led to the deaths of civilians. Even so, Sharon overcame his opposition and adversity to become Israel's prime minister in 2001. At age 72, this was a remarkable achievement; of other modern leaders, only Ronald Reagan and Nelson Mandela were around that age when first elected to their nations' highest office. ""Ariel Sharon"" is an in-depth biography of this controversial world leader, whose massive stroke and subsequent coma in January 2006 further complicated the already precarious scenario in the Middle East. Succinct text, engaging full-color photographs, and a comprehensive index make this title the ideal go-to reference for students eager to learn more about this key figure in contemporary international affairs.

Hamid Karzai made history on December 7, 2004, when he was officially sworn in as Afghanistan's first democratically elected president. The world applauded as he vowed to heal his wounded country. A nation with a long and tumultuous history, Afghanistan had endured much over the previous two decades. Invading Soviet troops, resistance by the Mujahideen, anarchy, the oppressive rule of the Taliban, and finally U.S. military action after 9/11 had left the country in ruins. Intelligent, calm, and diplomatic, Hamid Karzai still has a formidable task ahead of him. Will it be possible to restore hope to the Afghan people? Can he bring order and stability to his war-weary nation? This book tackles such tough questions head-on, while giving clear insights into the background and tactics of one of the world's most crucial decision-makers. ""Hamid Karzai"" is an excellent resource for students seeking to enhance their knowledge of contemporary world issues and the important figures behind them.