Lately, the following thought has been crossing my mind more and more often when I read the news.

Mr. X emerged in Country A much like a gang leader in the Old Wild West would ride into a town many years ago—determined to take control with his gang, consisting of a right-hand man and plenty of foolish but loyal and willing followers. Those who resisted were disposed of. If possible, neighboring towns and villages were also brought under control. The leader himself was not distinguished by intelligence but by his relentless drive to expand his power and, with it, his wealth.

Who could this Mr. X be, and what is Country A? It can’t be Hitler – he, Goebbels, and the others of the Nazi gang are long dead.