Female President and Middle East/Russia

[lookingfortheadult]

Hi!

I want to preempt the below by saying I in no way mean to be offensive but am seeking genuine insight, hopefully from people more informed or intelligent than me.

Like others, I'm eagerly awaiting the outcome of today's US election. And whilst I would truly love to have confidence in the possibility of the first female president, I remain nervous. Predominantly because of the unrest / devastation we are seeing in the Middle East, Russia alongside potential further invasions in Taiwan etc.

Given America's supposed power and influence in world events, I ask myself if foreign leaders in these locations will respect female leadership or if it will embolden them further, making the world even more dangerous than it is today. I have little faith in male leaders in Israel, Russia, Iran - in many cases (not all) countries led by religions that devalue the role of women.

This isn't a concern I've seen raised in mainstream media so I may be overthinking or missing something hence wanting the discussion. I'd love to hear other views?

Angela Merkel did okay. It's not the president by themselves that has the power OP, the US is a powerful country.

I cannot believe you have more faith in Trump because he has a penis, he's a laughing stock but world leaders still took him seriously.

I don't have more faith in Trump. If I was voting, I'd still vote for Harris. And my question is less about my own personal views on female leaders and more about the views of those in power where peace is fragile.

The point that the US president is not singular is fair, but I still question how others will respond. Arguably European countries with female leaders in the past have had less influence over the nations I highlighted (but again, more than happy to learn otherwise, hence the question).

This is a corner, an important point.

if trump gets re-elected

Putin will be emboldened
Netanyahu will also do whatever he wants

Both Europe and the Middle East will be worse off

@Lonelycrab why more so than Harris? I haven't seen her strength in this space although recognise the Democrats strategy will continue and likely many others pulling strings behind the scenes.

I'm not asking to be difficult and am in no way a Trump supporter, I'm just trying to build an understanding and finding the media lacking in terms of balanced perspectives. Basically, I want to learn!

I don't mean that the president doesn't act by themselves, I mean that they're dealing with a powerful country which can implement sanctions or trade embargoes.

Whether they take a female president seriously or not doesn't detract from the consequences.Clinton was a renowned Hawk for example.

Harris has said she wants to stop the war in the ME whereas Trump has said he wants to inflame it. He also wants to stop aid to Ukraine.

Merkel handled herself just fine, she was the leader of the most powerful country in Europe for many years.

This is totally unhelpful rubbish.

Women can. (full stop, end of)

The countries' leaders will just have to adjust (themselves!). They will just have to 'man up' to the idea that a woman can lead a country too ... She will have plenty of support from other men. Maybe they can step on the other leaders' ...

Kamala will have the same kind of support and briefing as Trump would.

You realise that Israel had a female PM from 1969-1974?

OP I get where you are coming from. It isn’t whether she is capable it is whether she will be perceived to be a weak leader in the misogynist world of politics.

I think it all depends on the image she portrays. I dont think there was any perceived weakness in Thatcher in the world of politics and nor Merkel.

She needs them not to perceive her a the little weak woman that theses men think about all women whether they are the president or not and she needs to do it quickly.

Not a troll but obviously asking a redundant question.

I do find it a little sad that the responses have felt somewhat aggressive. Again, I'm not a Trump supporter. I think he is extremely dangerous but 71m people voted for him in 2020 and I don't believe that every single one of those people is stupid, inherently evil or a troll.

I think not being able to ask questions or have discussions without criticism, ridicule or dismissal is unhelpful. But point taken from those that responded.

@Merrilydancing yes - you've articulated better than me. This was what I was trying to explore and understand if there is a perceived risk given the critical role that the US plays in world politics.

Ultimately, I don't think her sex will be much of a factor in her dealings with other countries. Integrity, statesmanship, and negotiation skill are what a great leader requires, man or woman. Don’t forget, also, that Harris would also have a team behind her - it isn’t just her that would be elected. Her ability to delegate is also key.