From Moscow to Washington, the rise of the nationalist ‘’strongman’’ leader has defined global geopolitics, spanning autocracies and democracies alike. Russia’s curated image of Putin as a macho juggernaut is mirrored in the glorification of Egypt’s Fattah el-Sisi and Iran’s Khamenei. These crafted images of strongmen leaders have fuelled nationalist narratives laced with conspiracy and promises of national renewal. Yet, beneath the bravado lies an inherently fragile model. Characterised by a disregard for international norms, power theatrics and political brinkmanship, the trend of strongmen rule has bred instability rather than strength.
Beneath the powerplay of such authoritarian regimes, the Middle East presents a compelling counter-narrative. Its unsung heroes are female trailblazers in diplomacy, who focus on empathy and dialogue. This approach has correlated with some of the region’s most meaningful political breakthroughs. A physician turned diplomat, H.E. Hanene Tajouri Bessassi, encapsulates the female counterbalance to strongmen. She aptly compares geopolitics to healing, listening to those in distress, diagnosing societal fractures, and crafting thoughtful, viable solutions. In a region rife with conflict, this quasi ‘maternal’ and circumspect approach to dialogue may hold the key to stability. Though the Middle East is steeped in patriarchal traditions, history is littered with figures combining military strategy with diplomatic acumen. Tracking the success of this approach through the region’s infamous female figures to modern-day manifestations suggests that the path to sustainable peace lies not in military strategy or hollow promises of traditional strongmen but in the understated yet transformative power of the “female bedside manner.”
Golda Meir, Israel’s first female prime minister, occupies a complex and often debated position in the history of Israeli leadership. In the lead-up to the 1973 Yom Kippur War, Meir faced immense pressure and criticism for her reluctance to launch a pre-emptive strike against Egypt and Syria, despite intelligence warnings. The historical narrative frequently frames this hesitation as a failure of leadership, contributing to Israel’s initial unpreparedness at the onset of the war. However, a deeper analysis of Meir’s decision-making reveals that her actions were informed by strategic foresight, tempered by a broader diplomatic context and a non-macho approach. A pre-emptive strike risked alienating Israel’s key ally, the US. Furthermore, Meir’s hesitation reflected an understanding that Israeli military power should be preserved for a defensive response rather than pre-emptively engaging in hostilities that could lead to wider regional instability.
While Israel was vulnerable early in the war, Meir’s diplomatic efforts were crucial. She worked relentlessly to secure military aid from the US and rally international support. Leveraging ties with Kissinger and Nixon, Meir shifted the war’s trajectory. Referred to as the ‘Iron Lady’ before Margaret Thatcher earned the title, Meir’s strategic patience birthed diplomatic pragmatism by navigating the balance between military action and diplomacy under pressure. Meir’s leadership exemplified a form of diplomacy that blended pragmatism with strategic patience, a contrast to the more aggressive tactics often favoured by her male counterparts in the region.
Critics of Meir’s leadership overlook the broader political context in which she operated. Her decision-making reflects the careful consideration of international relations and the longer-term consequences of military action. Unlike hyper-masculine, theatrically aggressive leadership, Meir’s fusion of pragmatism and interpersonal negotiation offers a blueprint for stability. Beyond wartime strategy, Meir’s diplomatic outreach to African nations catalysed Israel’s humanitarian assistance to newly independent states in the 1960s, proving that diplomacy is not a standalone tool for conflict resolution but also conflict prevention in long-term nation-building and cooperation. As such she stands as an example of the female role model – predicated on empathy, diplomacy and tactical hesitation.
Golda Meir’s achievements reflect the broader struggles for women’s voices in political leadership during periods of upheaval. In parallel to the revolution sweeping Iran in 1979, where Ayatollah Khomeini and his male entourage dominated the political narrative, undercurrents of female activism rose in opposition to the Shah’s regime and to champion women’s rights. Among the most prominent figures was Simin Behbahani, a pioneering Iranian poet and activist, whose powerful verses advocated for democracy, social justice, and gender equality. Despite facing harassment by the government, which ultimately led to her exile, Behbahani continued to engage with global institutions, becoming a symbol of resistance and highlighting the indispensable role of women in political discourse and diplomacy. Much like Meir, Behbahani’s activism underscores the vital intersection of women’s rights and political resistance during periods of intense social and political transformation.
Many broad-brush domestic struggles with women’s rights movements overlooked that the roots of female leadership were established long before strongman figures of the 20th and 21st centuries gained prominence. Shajar al-Durr, the 13th-century Sultan of Egypt, exemplifies female potential to wield political and diplomatic influence. Her provident efforts stabilised Egypt during the 7th Crusade as she rose through the military ranks and became the first Mamluk ruler of Egypt and Syria—a dynasty lasting over 300 years. Al-Durr’s leadership was pivotal in repelling French forces and negotiating King Louis IX’s release, prioritising national interests over vengeance. Her actions echo the recurring hubris of authoritarian leaders today. Marked by a rigid ideological entrenchment and punitive policies, Iran’s escalating cycle of retaliatory strikes perpetuates the region’s power struggles. Contrastingly, Shajar al-Durr’s actions illustrate an instinct to protect, nurture, and stabilise amidst the chaos—qualities desperately needed in today’s diplomatic sphere. Her ability to negotiate peace while preserving national interests is a historical testament to how resilient and strategic female leadership can forge stable pathways even in the most contentious environments. If today’s leaders adopted a similar solution-oriented pragmatism, diplomatic openings could emerge where conflict now festers.
Female leaders in MENA have historically approached power through negotiation and coalition-building. These qualities enabled women like Shajar al-Durr and Meir to thrive in male-dominated political arenas. Dispensing with combative tactics serves as a powerful reminder of the impact that female diplomacy can have on conflict resolution and peacebuilding. The efforts of these women ring true today with figures like Dr. Amal Al-Qubaisi, one of the UAE’s most prominent female political leaders, who continues to advocate for peacebuilding and reform through diplomacy and dialogue.
Yet there is more that should be done to optimise this untapped resource. For just as ‘Strongmen’ focus on ideological vengeance, unlike women, they often forget the human element of governance. If the Middle East is to achieve lasting peace, it’s essential to move beyond traditional power politics and look to historic female leadership for geopolitical and domestic success. The presence of women in diplomacy is not a simple matter of equity. It is a hopeful strategy that, if used effectively, can replace seismic military upheavals and offer a better-executed antidote to current zero-sum politics.
