Our research has found that once these type of leaders start repressing their own citizens or initiating conflicts abroad, there are few good ways to stop them. Diversionary TacticThere are several reasons personalist dictators initiate most international conflicts. In addition, personalist leaders are the type most likely to be ousted violently. But recent research shows that increasing oil revenue facilitates the rise of personalist dictators, who are the ones largely responsible for repressing their citizens. And in 2015, the Russian military helped save Syrian president Bashar al-Assad from defeat at the hands of Syrian rebels.

Source: Libya Today April 10, 2022 18:38 UTC