Bhimsen Thapa vs Yevgeny Primakov

Bhimsen Thapa became the first Mukhtiyar (equivalent to prime minister) of Nepal after the assassination of Rana Bahadur Shah. He consolidated power and became the de facto ruler, serving under the minor king Girvan Yuddha Bikram Shah.

Bhimsen Thapa modernized the Nepalese army by introducing European-style training, weapons, and organization. He established arsenals, recruited Gurkha soldiers, and expanded the army's size, making it a formidable force in the region.

Bhimsen Thapa led Nepal into the Anglo-Nepalese War against the British East India Company. Despite initial Nepalese victories, the war ended with the Treaty of Sugauli in 1816, which forced Nepal to cede territories including Sikkim and Kumaon.

Bhimsen Thapa signed the Treaty of Sugauli with the British, ending the Anglo-Nepalese War. Nepal lost about one-third of its territory, including the Tarai plains, and was forced to accept a British resident in Kathmandu, limiting its sovereignty.

Bhimsen Thapa was removed from power in 1837 after a court intrigue and accusations of poisoning the young king. He was imprisoned and later committed suicide in 1839, ending his 31-year dominance over Nepalese politics.

Primakov was appointed Director of the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) after the collapse of the USSR. He reorganized the agency and maintained its capabilities during the chaotic transition.

Primakov became Russian Foreign Minister under President Yeltsin. He pursued a multi-vector foreign policy, opposing NATO expansion and strengthening ties with China and India.

Primakov was appointed Prime Minister during the 1998 financial crisis. He stabilized the economy and restored public confidence, but was dismissed in 1999 by Yeltsin.

While flying to the US for a meeting, Primakov learned of NATO's bombing of Yugoslavia. He ordered his plane to turn back over the Atlantic, a dramatic protest against the intervention.