Eduard Shevardnadze vs Thaksin Shinawatra

Mikhail Gorbachev appointed Shevardnadze as Soviet Foreign Minister. Shevardnadze played a key role in shaping the 'New Thinking' foreign policy, which emphasized de-escalation of the Cold War, arms reduction agreements, and improved relations with the West.

Shevardnadze, as Soviet Foreign Minister, signed the INF Treaty with U.S. Secretary of State George Shultz. The treaty eliminated an entire class of nuclear missiles (500-5,500 km range) from Europe, marking a major step in ending the Cold War.

Shevardnadze resigned as Soviet Foreign Minister, warning of an impending dictatorship under Gorbachev. His resignation was a dramatic protest against the conservative backlash and the slow pace of reforms, highlighting the internal crisis of the Soviet Union.

After the ouster of President Zviad Gamsakhurdia, Shevardnadze returned to Georgia and was elected Chairman of the Parliament, effectively becoming the head of state. He was tasked with stabilizing the country amid civil war and economic collapse.

Shevardnadze survived a car bomb assassination attempt in Tbilisi. The attack, which killed several people, was widely attributed to opponents of his policies. It underscored the violent political struggles in post-Soviet Georgia.

Shevardnadze was forced to resign as President of Georgia following the Rose Revolution, a peaceful protest against disputed parliamentary elections. The revolution, led by Mikheil Saakashvili, ended Shevardnadze's rule and ushered in a new pro-Western government.

Thaksin Shinawatra's Thai Rak Thai party won a landslide victory in the 2001 general election, making him Prime Minister. His populist policies, including universal healthcare and debt relief for farmers, gained widespread support.

Thaksin launched a highly controversial anti-drug campaign that resulted in over 2,500 extrajudicial killings. The campaign was criticized by human rights groups but was popular among the public for reducing drug crime.

While attending the UN General Assembly in New York, Thaksin was overthrown by a military coup led by General Sonthi Boonyaratglin. The coup was justified by allegations of corruption, abuse of power, and disrespect to the monarchy.

Thaksin was convicted in absentia by the Thai Supreme Court for abuse of power in a land purchase case involving his wife. He was sentenced to two years in prison, remaining in self-exile to avoid serving the sentence.