THERE HAVE BEEN INSTANCES IN THE RECENT PAST WHEN NATIONAL LEADERS HAVE CALLED FOR WAR WHEN ELECTIONS TRANSPIRE. HERE'S WHO & WHEN.
The battlecry of soldiers. The call to lift arms. The omnipotent enemy nation. The emergence of a strong leader. The appeal to the right wing nationalists. If there is anything which sells at the time of electoral crisis, its WAR.
We are all aware about the rise of right wing politics & ascendancy of authoritarianism since the beginning of the 21st century. There is a paradigm shift in the mindset of the populace where national interests supercede the greater good. In such an environment, there is no better way to reverse or distract the public opinion than by waging war. I will highlight how this tactic has been used by several leaders to gain political leverage.
VLADIMIR PUTIN
If Elton John is the King of Pop Rock, then Vladimir Putin is the undisputable master of political maneuver through war. Whenever the poll ratings are down, Putin pulls Russian tanks in foreign territory. Be it Georgia in 2006, Ukraine in 2014 or intervention in Syria in 2016. Don't be surprised if Russia invades a non NATO European or Asian country in 2020-21 because Putin's legitimacy as President is under serious threat.
RECEP TAYYIP ERDOGAN
This hardline Turkish Prez has increasingly resorted to the military to embolden his image as a strong leader. To endear to the orthodox, he has also started Islamization of the oce secular Turkey. In 2020 itself, Turkey has become directly involved in the Libyan Civil War under the guise of protecting their Sunni brothers. Turkey has little geopolitical gain by such adventurism but it has definitely bolstered Erdogan's approval ratings. Turkey has also been involved in Syria in close co-operation with the United States.
TURKEY (IN ORANGE) & LIBYA(IN GREEN)
NARENDRA MODI
The Indian Prime Minister too has been guilty of demonising & attacking India's arch nemesis Pakistan to sway public opinion. In 2019, just a few months before the elections, the Indian Army successfully conducted the Balakot Air Strike targeting terror camps inside mainland Pakistan. Modi won the elections by a huge majority & I strongly believe the air strike had a huge role in the outcome.
GEORGE BUSH
In 2003, the Americans invaded Iraq under the facade of "ending al-Qaeda & Saddam Hussein" However, I have a strong belief that it was aimed at boosting Bush's chances of re-election in 2004.
THATS ALL. THANKS FOR READING!