1. Robert Mugabe

Zimbabwe



Age: 85

In power since: 1980

Last year’s rank: 6

Inflation in Zimbabwe is so bad that in January the government released a $50 billion note — enough to buy two loaves of bread. The unemployment rate has risen to more than 85%. In 2008, Mugabe agreed to hold an election, but it became clear that he would accept the result only if he won. His supporters launched attacks on the opposition, killing 163 and torturing or beating 5000. He ultimately signed a power-sharing agreement with opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai, but since then Mugabe has broken its terms and installed his own people at the head of every ministry. Meanwhile, health conditions have reached crisis levels. More than 3800 Zimbabweans have died from cholera since August.



U.S. link: Although U.S. leaders have called for Mugabe’s resignation, imports from Zimbabwe (primarily nickel and ferrochromium, both used in stainless steel) rose in 2008.

2. Omar al-Bashir

Sudan



Age: 65

In power since: 1989

Last year’s rank: 2

This month, the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for al-Bashir on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity for his contributions to the tragedy in Darfur. The ICC charged him with “ murdering, exterminating, raping, torturing, and forcibly transferring large numbers of civilians, and pillaging their property.” Bashir’s military campaign has been accused of driving 2.7 million people from their homes since 2003.



U.S. link: Both former President Bush and President Obama have spoken out strongly against Bashir’s actions. Although we’ve imposed trade sanctions against Sudan, the U.S. still supplies the country with substantial amounts of sorghum and other food products. The U.S. also purchases from Sudan millions of dollars worth of gum Arabic, used in soft drinks, candy, and shoe polish. In 2008, U.S. trade with Sudan actually increased to $148 million.

3. Kim Jong-Il

North Korea



Age: 67

In power since: 1994

Last year’s rank: 1

Kim is believed to have suffered a stroke and has been absent from important public events. But his regime continues to be one of the world’s most repressive. Hundreds of thousands of citizens, including children, are imprisoned in labor camps for such “crimes” as hoarding food and “ anti-socialist” activities.



U.S. link: Relations with North Korea have been dominated by Kim’s development of nuclear weapons. Secretary of State Clinton recently expressed concern over a possible succession struggle and signs that North Korea is preparing to test a long-range missile, which is considered highly provocative to South Korea and Japan.

4. Than Shwe

Burma (Myanmar)



Age: 76

In power since: 1992

Last year’s rank: 3

Cyclone Nargis slammed into Burma on May 2, leaving some 140,000 dead or missing and more than 2 million homeless. But Than Shwe delayed access to stricken areas by aid groups while he held a rigged election to approve a new constitution.



U.S. link: The U.S. has condemned the military regime for 21 years and called for the release from house arrest of Nobel Peace Prize-winner Aung San Suu Kyi.







5. King Abdullah

Saudi Arabia



Age: 85

In power since: 1995

Last year’s rank: 4

Despite King Abdullah’s talk of reform, Saudi women still need permission from male guardians to work, study, travel, marry, or even obtain an ID card. The government opened a women’s branch of its Human Rights Commission, but only men serve on its board. There is no Saudi penal code, and trial defendants often cannot question witnesses.



U.S. link: Dependence on Saudi oil—the U.S. imported $50 billion worth in 2008— has caused our leaders to overlook the royal family’s abysmal human-rights record.





6. Hu Jintao

China



Age: 66

In power since: 2002

Last year’s rank: 5

Hu Jintao and the Chinese Communist Party won the right to host the 2008 Olympics by promising to improve human rights. Instead, Hu tightened restrictions on freedom of speech and religion. Repression of Tibetans and other minorities has increased dramatically. Political and religious dissidents can be held in “ Re-education Through Labor” camps for up to four years without trial.



U.S. link: In September, China passed Japan as America’s #1 foreign creditor. In 2008, we imported about $340 billion worth of goods from China.







7. Sayyid Ali Khamenei

Iran



Age: 69

In power since: 1989

Last year’s rank: 7

Ayatollah Khamenei has increased arrests of nonviolent opponents of his regime, women’s-rights activists, ethnic and religious minorities, and journalists. In 2008, Khamenei’s government was the only one in the world to execute juveniles. Iranian law considers boys eligible for the death penalty at age 15 and girls at age 9.



U.S. link: Despite the war of words between leaders of the U.S. and Iran, and concern about the possibility of Iran developing nuclear weapons, trade between the two nations skyrocketed in 2008, highlighted by American sales to Iran of wheat, corn, and pharmaceutical products.





8. Isayas Afewerki

Eritrea



Age: 63

In power since: 1991

Last year’s rank: 10

Afewerki announced in May 2008 that elections would be postponed for “three or four decades” or longer because they “polarize society.” All forms of media are controlled by the government. At least 10 local journalists remain in prison since their arrests in 2001.



U.S. link: In October 2008, the U.S. government banned the sale of arms to Eritrea, accusing Afewerki of “not fully cooperating with anti-terrorism efforts.”







9. Gurbanguly Berdymuhammedov

Turkmenistan



Age: 51

In power since: 2006

Last year’s rank: Unranked

The good news is that since he took power two years ago, Berdymuhammedov has eliminated many of the more ridiculous aspects of the personality cult of his predecessor, Saparmurat Niyazov, such as renaming the months after himself and his mother. The bad news is that Berdymuhammedov has kept most of Niyazov’s repressive policies in place. Political prisoners remain behind bars, all media is controlled by the government, opposition parties are not allowed, and the practice of religion is restricted.



U.S. link: The U.S. continues to import oil from Turkmenistan ($100 million worth in 2008), while Boeing provides airplanes to the Turkmen government. Chevron recently opened an office in Turkmenistan’s capital, Ashgabat.

10. Muammar al-Qaddafi

Libya



Age: 66

In power since: 1969

Last year’s rank: 11

On Sept. 1, Qaddafi will celebrate the 40th anniversary of his coup. Among nonroyal leaders, only Gabon’s Omar Bongo has been in power longer. Spreading any information that the government believes “tarnishes [Libya’s] reputation” is punishable by life imprisonment. Reports of torture are common.



U.S. link: The U.S. imported $4 billion worth of Libyan petroleum in 2008. Last fall, Condoleezza Rice became the first U.S. Secretary of State to visit in 55 years.



David Wallechinsky is a Contributing Editor for PARADE Magazine and founder of AllGov.com.