Will 2026 become the year of great destruction? Have the five elders of the world reduced almost 200 countries to a heap of gunpowder? With the beginning of the year 2026, the world is standing at a turning point where hopes for peace are becoming dim. At present, the era of ‘gerontocracy’ i.e. rule of the elderly is going on in world politics, where the command of the world’s most powerful countries is in the hands of leaders above 70 years of age. While the Gen-Z movement has changed direction in many countries of the world, the diplomacy of America, Iran, Israel, Russia and China is pushing the world into the Third World War. International affairs experts believe that the ‘legacy’ and ambition of these leaders can push the world towards the third world war.

Those 5 powerful leaders whose age is beyond 70

Ali Khamenei (86 years):-

Iran’s supreme leader Ali Khamenei is the oldest in this list. His direct confrontation with Israel and his strict policies regarding the nuclear program have left the Middle East sitting on a pile of gunpowder.

Donald Trump (79 years):-

US President Donald Trump is taking charge of the world’s most powerful democracy. His ‘America First’ policy and uncertain behavior towards Russia-China have changed the global security equations. By taking latest action on Venezuela and showing fear of attack on Iran, Trump has divided the world into two parts.

Benjamin Netanyahu (76 years):-

Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu is waging an all-out war against Hamas, Hezbollah and Iran for his political survival and the security of the country.

Vladimir Putin (73 years):-

Russian President Putin is determined to take the Ukraine war to a decisive turn. His rising tensions with Western countries have revived the threat of nuclear war.

Xi Jinping (72 years):-

Chinese President Xi Jinping seems ready to go to any extent for the unification of Taiwan and to establish his dominance in the South China Sea.

Will the Third World War break out because of these 5 countries?

According to international experts, the possibility of war in 2026 is highest on three main fronts. The first front is in Eastern Europe between Russia and NATO. There is a fear that a new arms race will start due to the end of the ‘New START’ nuclear treaty in February 2026. The second biggest danger is between Israel and Iran, where even a single wrong step can lead to a nuclear conflict. The third and most sensitive area is that of China and Taiwan, where direct involvement of America can turn it into a global war.

Scary reaction of experts

Experts from institutions like Stimson Center and Chatham House say that the world has now entered the Third Nuclear Era. According to experts, Trump’s retreat from the global system and the expansionist agenda of Putin and Xi Jinping are creating such a ‘power vacuum’ that only war can fill. Experts argue that these leaders over 70 often try to make historic changes in the last years of their tenure, which sometimes becomes the reason for disastrous decisions.

The global diplomacy of the year 2026 is witness to the fact that age is just a number in politics. Today, when the world is facing serious challenges like war, economic instability and climate change, the reins of most of the major nations are in the hands of people who have accumulated decades of political experience. The 20 most famous and powerful heads of state in the world have currently crossed the age of 70. Starting from the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, an army of many leaders are deciding the direction and condition of the world.

1- Paul Biya (Cameroon) – 92 years: The world’s oldest President, who has remained in power for decades.

2- Mahmoud Abbas (Palestine) – 90 years: President of Palestine, who is the oldest witness of conflict politics.

3- Salman bin Abdulaziz (Saudi Arabia) – 90 years: King of Saudi Arabia, whose rule is considered a symbol of stability in the Middle East.

King Harald V (Norway) – 88 years old: King of Norway, who is highly respected in his constitutional role.

Ali Khamenei (Iran) – 86 years: Supreme leader of Iran, whose decisions are monitored by the whole world.

Jean-Lucien Savi de Tove (Togo) – 86 years old: Togo’s experienced leader who came into limelight recently.

Muhammad Yunus (Bangladesh) – 85 years: Nobel laureate and chief advisor of Bangladesh, who is handling the country in times of crisis.

Peter Mutharika (Malawi) – 85 years old: Another legendary face of African politics.

Mishaal Al-Sabah (Kuwait) – 85 years: Emir of Kuwait, who holds an important position in the politics of Gulf countries.

Michael D. Higgins (Ireland) – 84 years: President of Ireland, who is known for his intellectual ability.

Sergio Mattarella (Italy) – 84 years: President of Italy, who has stood like a pillar in the country’s political crises.

Lula da Silva (Brazil) – 80 years: President of Brazil, who is leading the country for the third time.

Donald Trump (America) – 79 years: The 47th President of America, who is again in the news for his aggressive policies.

Anwar Ibrahim (Malaysia) – 78 years: Prime Minister of Malaysia, who gained power after a long struggle.

Benjamin Netanyahu (Israel) – 76 years: Israel’s longest serving Prime Minister.

Narendra Modi (India) – 75 years: The Prime Minister of India, who is moving towards making India the third largest economy in his third term.

Shahbaz Sharif (Pakistan) – 74 years: The Prime Minister of Pakistan, who is leading the country amidst economic challenges.

Vladimir Putin (Russia) – 73 years: The President of Russia, whose influence on Eurasian politics is undeniable.

Xi Jinping (China) – 72 years: The President of China, who has emerged as the most powerful leader of modern China.

Recep Tayyip Erdogan (Türkiye) – 71 years: The President of Türkiye, who plays the role of an efficient mediator in global diplomacy.

India and the ‘Modi Factor’ The energy with which Prime Minister Narendra Modi is working even at the age of 75 is an example for the world. In 2026, India has become a decisive power on the global stage under his leadership. Experts say that it is Modi’s experience that on one hand he joins hands with Putin and on the other hand he strengthens strategic partnership with Trump. Among these leaders above 70, Modi is considered to have the highest acceptability.