Month: January 2026

Changing Leadership in the Middle of World War

World Wars I and II presented extraordinary challenges to global leadership. In the midst of this upheaval, leaders of various countries must adapt quickly to face changing dynamics. In this era, we saw significant changes in leadership approaches, both at the national and international levels.

1. Military and Strategic Leadership

Success in World War I depended heavily on tactical and strategic innovation. Military leaders such as General John J. Pershing of the United States implemented new strategies that emphasized troop mobility and coordination between military divisions. Meanwhile, Germany, under the command of General Erich Ludendorff, used blitzkrieg tactics which prioritized lightning attacks and the use of modern weapons, such as tanks and fighter planes.

2. Changes in International Diplomacy

Leadership is also visible in international diplomacy. The Versailles Conference after World War I, for example, demonstrated a paradigm shift in conflict resolution. World leaders are trying to design a more collaborative peace system. However, dissatisfaction with the provisions implemented actually created divisions that sparked World War II.

3. Gender and Leadership

Leadership in this era also experienced significant changes regarding gender roles. Women, previously marginalized from leadership positions, are starting to take on roles. During World War II, many women entered the workforce to replace men who were fighting, and some women even sparked political movements in their respective countries.

4. Leadership in an Economic Crisis

The post-World War I economic crisis posed a major challenge for leaders such as Franklin D. Roosevelt in the US. With New Deal policies, Roosevelt adopted a proactive approach to economic recovery, demonstrating the importance of adaptive leadership in the face of global crises.

5. Ideological Leaders and Revolution

War produces not only military leaders, but also ideological leaders. Like Adolf Hitler in Germany, who took advantage of the socio-economic situation to promote an agenda of nationalism and aggression. This ideology-based leadership shows the ability to influence the masses and trigger radical social change.

6. The Role of Technology in Leadership

Technological advances during both world wars also changed the way leaders communicated and made decisions. From the introduction of radio to television, the ability to convey messages directly to the public has been vital. Leaders such as Winston Churchill utilized the media to build the fighting spirit of the British people through inspiring broadcasts during World War II.

7. Organizational Efficiency and Coordination

Effective leadership is also reflected in the organization and coordination in logistics. Alliances between nations, such as NATO after World War II, create collaborative systems in the face of common threats. Leadership at this level requires expertise in negotiation, building trust between diverse countries.

8. Lessons for the Future

The leadership that emerged in the midst of this world war provides valuable lessons about flexibility, innovation and collaboration. Many leaders are successful because they are able to adapt to rapidly changing circumstances, prioritize empathy, and utilize technology for communication. This experience shapes the framework of thinking for future leaders facing global crises.

By studying changing leadership in the context of world wars, we can identify patterns and strategies that may be relevant in contemporary situations, both on a local and global scale.

The energy crisis in Europe has become a major highlight in recent news. With soaring energy prices and supply uncertainty, many European countries are forced to look for solutions to ease these tensions. The crisis is largely due to several factors, including dependence on natural gas from Russia, which is increasingly under threat due to geopolitical tensions and economic sanctions. Countries such as Germany and France have begun implementing new policies to reduce dependence on fossil energy raw materials. Germany, for example, is increasing investment in renewable energy such as wind and solar power. This change not only serves to diversify energy sources, but also as a shift towards net-zero emissions in the future. Meanwhile, France is relying on utilizing existing nuclear power as a way to stabilize energy supplies. However, many nuclear reactors in France are undergoing maintenance, reducing energy production capacity. Some analysts predict that energy demand will increase significantly as winter approaches, and supply shortages could trigger higher prices. European governments are also considering restarting coal-fired power plants as a temporary solution. However, this action faced criticism from environmental circles who believed that this step would harm efforts to combat climate change. This crisis not only affects the energy industry, but also has a significant impact on other economic sectors. Many companies that depend on energy for production face rising operational costs, which in turn has the potential to push up the prices of goods on the market. The transportation sector has also been affected, with rising fuel prices affecting the cost of shipping all types of goods. The EU leadership seeks to address these challenges through regional collaboration. The plan to create a single, more integrated energy market is expected to help distribute energy more efficiently. Several member countries have begun to establish bilateral cooperation in providing energy and infrastructure, such as liquefied natural gas (LNG) from non-European countries. In a social context, the energy crisis has resulted in concerns among society about the ability to pay increasing energy bills. Many European governments are trying to provide assistance to the most affected households, including energy subsidies and social assistance packages. Simultaneously with this situation, the technology and innovation sector is developing rapidly, with many companies competing to create alternative energy solutions. Innovative approaches such as energy storage and energy efficiency are being researched to help address energy security issues. The European energy crisis is a reminder that the energy transition cannot be ignored and requires a sustainable strategy. All countries in Europe find themselves at a crossroads, where the choices they make today will determine their energy and economic future. Dialogue and collaboration between countries is needed to find long-term solutions that can guarantee energy security amidst increasingly complex challenges.