The top 9 world leaders of 2012

It wasn't all bad, and it certainly wasn't all good, but 2012 was a big year for news makers and game changers.

From the man who won one of the tightest US presidential races in decades, to the head of state whose tenure has been marked by bloody protests, we've rounded up the nine leaders who influenced the world the most this year — for better or for worse.

1. Christine Lagarde

The first woman to head the International Monetary Fund, Lagarde had no time to settle in before jumping into the ongoing battle that is the euro zone's debt crisis. Ranked among Forbes' most powerful people and most powerful women, the director of the 188-country-strong financial organization managed to garner an extra $430 billion in funding from G20 countries this past April, doubling the IMF's lending capacities.

In the midst of trying to put out global fiscal fires, the former lawyer and influential French politician — who was named a Chevalier in the Légion d'honneur in 2000 — also manages to raise two sons.

2. Barack Obama

President Obama won another four-year term, by a long shot, in what was nevertheless one of the tightest, toughest US election races in years. He also remained surefooted in his decision-making, despite the Romney campaign's fierce attempts to paint him as a failed leader.

"Obama, 50, showed great skill as a Commander in Chief, sending the Navy SEALs to take out Osama bin Laden and supervising an orderly departure from Iraq," wrote Time magazine's Joe Klein. "But most of all, in the roil of a difficult time, he seemed smart and steady, trustworthy. Monuments are not often built to politicians who are merely trustworthy, but they do tend to win re-election."

Time just this week named Obama its "Person of the Year."

Washington Monthly also managed to round up 50 of Obama's accomplishments ... that's more than we can say for most leaders.

3. Imran Khan

Imran Khan has made the jump from cricketer to activist-politician look seamless. Now the head of Pakistan's Tehrik-e-Insaf (PTI) party, Khan has become the face of the anti-drone movement in his home country. Though data on drone-related deaths is scarce, the Bureau of Investigative Journalism estimates drones — key tools of US military strategy in the region — have caused between 474 to 884 civilian deaths since 2004, including the killings of 176 children.

Khan refuses to stand for the continued use of drones in Pakistan, leading a high-profile march by over 1,000 people in October. He continues to speak out against the violence, and his anti-drone push is a central part of his campaign for president.

More from GlobalPost: Imran Khan interrogated by US immigration over drone stance

4. Hillary Clinton

Touted as the most traveled secretary of state (though it depends on how you're counting, the Christian Science Monitor pointed out), Clinton has certainly clocked her fair share of overseas visits — to at least 111 countries, at last count — and dealt with a veritable bevy of international crises during her years in office.

From the ongoing bloody war in Syria, to the Sept. 11 attack on the US consulate in Benghazi, to the eight-day conflict between Gaza and Israel, Clinton has risen to some thorny challenges. She also managed to earn meme notoriety (Texts from Hillary, anyone?) and reach her 10th year as Gallup poll’s most admired woman.

And no matter what her mileage, she's definitely winning in the "most requests to run for President in 2016" contest.

More from GlobalPost: Nancy Pelosi joins the list of political figures to back Hillary Clinton in 2016

5. Kim Jong Un

The new supreme leader of North Korea, aka the son of Kim Jong Il, has had quite the year in the spotlight for the head of such a reclusive state. For one thing, there was his marriage to Ri Sol Ju. Then there were all the rocket launches, mostly failed, and the ensuing international hoopla. And of course, that's not even counting the Onion nomination as "Sexiest Person of the Year" — which was taken amazingly seriously by Chinese and South Korean media.

Kim Jong Un also won TIME's "Person of the Year" poll, garnering 5.6 million votes.

Not too shabby for his first year in the hot seat.

6. Aung San Suu Kyi

Aung San Suu Kyi won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1991 for her brave activism against widespread slaughter of protesters fighting the oppressive rule of Myanmar's dictator U Ne Win. This year, however, marked a big shift for Suu Kyi and her political party, the National League for Democracy: The party won a majority of seats in parliamentary elections.

Suu Kyi also received accolades in the US for her work, accepting the Congressional Gold Medal — Congress's highest award for civilians — and the Atlantic Council's Global Citizen Award.

We can only wonder what 2013 will bring.

More from GlobalPost: Aung San Suu Kyi, Myanmar opposition leader, in the US for talks with Clinton, award from Congress (VIDEO)

7. Mohamed Morsi

The jury is still out — quite literally — on Egypt's first democratically elected leader since the ousting of Hosni Mubarak. Though he made an impressive showing after elections, he reignited furious protests in Cairo when he issued a controversial decree placing himself above the powers of the judiciary. There were also accusations that he had his opponents captured, detained, and beaten, according to The New York Times.

He also, however, proved to be a skilled political broker in the Middle East, producing a peace deal between Israel and Gaza after the two sides saw their bloodiest conflict in years.

As Egypt prepares to vote on a new constitution, which itself has sparked considerable protest and opposition, Morsi is certainly not stepping out of the limelight any time soon.

More from GlobalPost: Morsi's decree upheld as presidential spokesman softens stance, protests continue

8. Hugo Chavez

Chavez added another six-year term to his almost 14 years as Venezuela's president in October, and continues to be one of Latin America's most-watched politicians. However, his battle with cancer has only gotten more intense, and for the first time, the powerful leader has considered the possibility he may need someone to carry his torch.

The future of Venezuela remains to be seen, but Chavez's mark on the country — and the world — has certainly been made.

More from GlobalPost: Series: Venezuela's Vote

9. Bashar al-Assad

This year, Syria's President Bashar al-Assad has been facing the greatest threat to his dictatorship since he took office in 2000, following his father's death. The embattled leader has been locked in one of the region's bloodiest clashes since the uprising against him began in March 2011. The world has stood divided over the conflict, which has left around 40,000 people dead. But the tide may be shifting. According to the Telegraph, even Russia, one of Assad's staunchest allies, has admitted that his rule may be waning.

The president has denied ordering violence of any kind against Syrians, saying only a "crazy person" would kill his own people, BBC News reported.

"There was no command, to kill or to be brutal," Assad said. "I don't own them, I am president, I don't own the country so they are not my forces."

The battle against Assad continues to rage on as 2012 comes to a close.

More from GlobalPost: Series: Inside Syria

http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/politics/world-leaders/121213/top-9-world-leaders-2012

             Imran world’s 3rd greatest leader after Obama & before Hillary

Without prejudice to my Bhaijan former Pakistan President of Pakistan Gen ® Pervez Musharraf or incumbent President Asif Ali Zardari or for that matter self proclaimed heavy mandated Nawaz Sharif as per Global Post none but Imran Khan has been ranked amongst 9 most powerful leaders of the world where none of the three mentioned earlier have any place whatsoever itself proves who is who. Incidentally it must be mentioned that all other persons except Imran Khan are either rulers in their countries or holding international position whereas Imran does not fall under such category which as such elevates him a bit higher than those.

The rating relates to the year 2012 and the list is headed by none but Christine Logarde who despite being a lady has been appointed to head International Monetary Fund (IMF) which oversees the activities of financial institutions of as many as 188 countries which is not a joke but a gigantic task to be honest. Earlier Forbes has adjudged her as 8th most powerful woman on the face of earth. She is a French national and having born in 1956 she had been a prominent lawyer working for a known international law firm of USA before being inducted as a cabinet minister in France. She had been holding many different cabinet minister portfolios like she started as agriculture minister and then took over as finance minister who as such distinguished her to be the 1st finance minister within G-8 and eventually she is the ever 1st female to head IMF.

At rung two one finds the most powerful person at this point of time who can be none but American President Barrack Obama who is ruling the country for the second term which is the last term in any case. He despite being a black is the 1st president of the country who has been very seriously challenged while he fought for second term and with very little margin only him could win over his opponent Romney. However it goes without saying that he is undoubtedly unchallenged super power and he is reckoned as the sign of authority and power.

Next at rung three Imran Khan has been nominated which is a great honor not only for him for Pakistan as well and luckily or unluckily he has no official capacity from any angle except that he is heading a political party which is participating in forthcoming elections to be held on 11th May. Imran who as captain of Pakistan lifted Cricket World Cup left the game and embarked upon establishing 1st cancer hospital in the country. Iman after establishing Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital, Lahore which is internationally recognized cancer hospital had earned so many laurels that people started loving him still the more and one way or the other SKMCH provided quite suitable launching pad to jump into politics. He formed Tehreek e Insaf Party (TIP) with a slogan of ‘making new Pakistan’ wherein youth are given due share and even an ordinary person has been issued ticket to contest the election has elevated him to the highest level. Imran realizing that those who are poor but contesting election cannot afford to spend on electioneering established new bank account and asked philanthropists to donate money for the noble purpose. Months back Imran announced that his election tsunami will sweep in elections and up to now TIP is reckoned as 3rd biggest political party after PPP and PML (N) which in itself is an achievement while there are many very old political parties like Jamat e IslamI, Mutahedda Qaumi Movement and Jamaet e Ulamae Islam F etc to name a few but none of them come near to TIP. Many believe that Imran will be the next Prime Minister of Pakistan.

Then at rung four is Hillary Clinton who had been USA Foreign Minister and fortunately being wife of former president is also former 1st lady and most probably she will be the next president once Obama quits after completing his second term.

At fifth is Kim Jong Un, President of North Korea which is at odds with USA on nuclear bomb.

Thereafter at at rung six is Aung San Suu Kyi, Noble Peace Prize winner 1991.

Next at number seven is Mohammad Morsi, President of Egypt

At number eight we find late Hugo Chavez, President of Venezuela.

Last at number nine is Bashar Al Assad, President Syria who is facing tough opposition for many months and asking for his resignation.

Iqbal Hadi Zaidi / Kuwait