Survived and still survives so many obstacles. Locked up in the 1990s by the extreme secular regime, gained massive popularity as the mayor of Istanbul by getting rid of the bad odour of the Bosphorus. Initiated talks with the EU, kept the extremely powerful army at bay, reformed the crippling Turkish economy. Is bordered by two wartorn countries but still remains standing. In fact he used the Syrian war to his advantage and bullies the EU with opening the gates to Europe to millions of rapey Arab men. They give him everything he wants.
I loved how he humiliated the Saudis in the aftermath of the Saudi born, American journalist Khashoggi. He was dropping every week a new Intel that contradicted the statements of the Saudis. It was like watching Netflix show with amazing cliffhangers. He milked the mistake of his enemies to the core
We all know the tough, strong side of Putin. But Putin started as a laptop and a puppet for Yeltsin and his oligarchs. But he cleverly usurped the power, and called in his former KGB mates who were sidelined for a decade.
Disclaimer: I don't necessarily support them, but, from technical point of view, they're good at what they do. I admire craftsmanship.