Ebrahim Raisi vs John Howard

Raisi was a member of a special commission that ordered the execution of thousands of political prisoners in 1988. This event, known as the 1988 Mass Executions, has been widely condemned as a crime against humanity.

Ebrahim Raisi won the 2021 presidential election in a low-turnout vote, succeeding Hassan Rouhani. His victory consolidated hardline control over all branches of government in Iran.

Under Raisi, Iran continued to enrich uranium to near-weapons grade, stalling negotiations to revive the 2015 nuclear deal. This led to increased sanctions and tensions with the West.

Raisi was killed in a helicopter crash in May 2024 in northwestern Iran, along with Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian. The crash occurred in bad weather, and his death triggered a period of national mourning.

Following the Port Arthur massacre, Howard's government introduced strict gun control laws, including a ban on automatic and semi-automatic weapons and a mandatory buyback scheme. The reforms significantly reduced gun violence in Australia.

Howard led the Liberal-National coalition to a landslide victory in the 1996 federal election, defeating Paul Keating's Labor government. His campaign focused on economic reform, family values, and a more conservative social agenda.

Howard's government introduced a 10% Goods and Services Tax, replacing the previous wholesale sales tax. The GST was a major tax reform that broadened the tax base and provided revenue for state governments, though it was politically controversial.

Howard committed Australian troops to the US-led invasion of Iraq, citing weapons of mass destruction. The decision was highly controversial and led to large public protests, but Howard argued it was necessary for global security.

Howard lost the 2007 federal election to Kevin Rudd's Labor Party, ending his 11-year tenure as prime minister. He also lost his own seat of Bennelong, becoming only the second sitting prime minister to lose his seat.