This article is from the source 'washpo' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.washingtonpost.com/14-awkward-photos-of-world-leaders-that-explain-2014/2014/12/18/70e3bc02-0859-4b1d-a853-85bb8f132c6f_story.html?wprss=rss_world

The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
14 awkward photos of world leaders that explain 2014 14 awkward photos of world leaders that explain 2014
(35 minutes later)
It was a tough year for global events. From serious conflicts in Syria and Ukraine to the Ebola outbreak and the apparent destruction of not one but two Malaysia Air passenger planes, it sometimes felt like the world was bouncing from one horror to the other, never quite able to comprehend any of them.It was a tough year for global events. From serious conflicts in Syria and Ukraine to the Ebola outbreak and the apparent destruction of not one but two Malaysia Air passenger planes, it sometimes felt like the world was bouncing from one horror to the other, never quite able to comprehend any of them.
It was also, however, a year where the world's leaders frequently found themselves in absurd, awkward situations. These situations were often photographed. And thankfully in the modern media world, these images spread.It was also, however, a year where the world's leaders frequently found themselves in absurd, awkward situations. These situations were often photographed. And thankfully in the modern media world, these images spread.
Over a tough year, awkward photographs of world leaders have provided levity. As such, we think its time to look back back at them. Here's 2014, as told by awkward photographs of world leaders.Over a tough year, awkward photographs of world leaders have provided levity. As such, we think its time to look back back at them. Here's 2014, as told by awkward photographs of world leaders.
1. Putin awkwardly rubbing Obama's back1. Putin awkwardly rubbing Obama's back
November's APEC meeting was awkward for a whole variety of reasons, and it led to a whole smorgasbord of awkward world leader photographs. Perhaps none was quite as ridiculous as that moment when Russian President Vladimir Putin patted President Obama on the back.November's APEC meeting was awkward for a whole variety of reasons, and it led to a whole smorgasbord of awkward world leader photographs. Perhaps none was quite as ridiculous as that moment when Russian President Vladimir Putin patted President Obama on the back.
The two had been at loggerheads over the situation in Ukraine for the best part of the year and U.S.-led sanctions were beginning to show their effects.The two had been at loggerheads over the situation in Ukraine for the best part of the year and U.S.-led sanctions were beginning to show their effects.
Was Putin attempting to show he was the alpha male here? Full video of the moment paints a more complicated picture, with Putin's tap on the back perhaps seeming more friendly than the picture shows. Given the pain inflicted on the Russian economy this week, maybe he knew that things were about to take a turn for the worse.Was Putin attempting to show he was the alpha male here? Full video of the moment paints a more complicated picture, with Putin's tap on the back perhaps seeming more friendly than the picture shows. Given the pain inflicted on the Russian economy this week, maybe he knew that things were about to take a turn for the worse.
2. David Cameron on the phone2. David Cameron on the phone
I've been speaking to @BarackObama about the situation in Ukraine. We are united in condemnation of Russia's actions. pic.twitter.com/7Rk2k8iOIK — David Cameron (@David_Cameron) March 5, 2014I've been speaking to @BarackObama about the situation in Ukraine. We are united in condemnation of Russia's actions. pic.twitter.com/7Rk2k8iOIK — David Cameron (@David_Cameron) March 5, 2014
I've been speaking to @BarackObama about the situation in Ukraine. We are united in condemnation of Russia's actions. pic.twitter.com/7Rk2k8iOIKI've been speaking to @BarackObama about the situation in Ukraine. We are united in condemnation of Russia's actions. pic.twitter.com/7Rk2k8iOIK
— David Cameron (@David_Cameron) March 5, 2014— David Cameron (@David_Cameron) March 5, 2014
The Ukraine crisis made things awkward for a lot of people. For instance, when British Prime Minister David Cameron tried to show he was a part of the situation by tweeting a picture of him on the phone, he was widely mocked. Not only was it seen as a rather desperate attempt to prove the "special relationship" with the United States was still there, it looked a little silly given how the British government had courted Russian oligarchs.The Ukraine crisis made things awkward for a lot of people. For instance, when British Prime Minister David Cameron tried to show he was a part of the situation by tweeting a picture of him on the phone, he was widely mocked. Not only was it seen as a rather desperate attempt to prove the "special relationship" with the United States was still there, it looked a little silly given how the British government had courted Russian oligarchs.
See also:See also:
.@David_Cameron @BarackObama Hi guys, I'm on the line now too. Get me up to speed. pic.twitter.com/xhmJG5KpxT — rob delaney (@robdelaney) March 5, 2014.@David_Cameron @BarackObama Hi guys, I'm on the line now too. Get me up to speed. pic.twitter.com/xhmJG5KpxT — rob delaney (@robdelaney) March 5, 2014
.@David_Cameron @BarackObama Hi guys, I'm on the line now too. Get me up to speed. pic.twitter.com/xhmJG5KpxT.@David_Cameron @BarackObama Hi guys, I'm on the line now too. Get me up to speed. pic.twitter.com/xhmJG5KpxT
— rob delaney (@robdelaney) March 5, 2014— rob delaney (@robdelaney) March 5, 2014
.@robdelaney @David_Cameron @BarackObama I'm now patched in as well. Sorry for the delay. pic.twitter.com/elLQcKcV3w — Patrick Stewart (@SirPatStew) March 5, 2014.@robdelaney @David_Cameron @BarackObama I'm now patched in as well. Sorry for the delay. pic.twitter.com/elLQcKcV3w — Patrick Stewart (@SirPatStew) March 5, 2014
.@robdelaney @David_Cameron @BarackObama I'm now patched in as well. Sorry for the delay. pic.twitter.com/elLQcKcV3w.@robdelaney @David_Cameron @BarackObama I'm now patched in as well. Sorry for the delay. pic.twitter.com/elLQcKcV3w
— Patrick Stewart (@SirPatStew) March 5, 2014— Patrick Stewart (@SirPatStew) March 5, 2014
@hrtbps pic.twitter.com/CdXxHJjxnp — El Nombre (@lukebushnellwye) March 5, 2014@hrtbps pic.twitter.com/CdXxHJjxnp — El Nombre (@lukebushnellwye) March 5, 2014
@hrtbps pic.twitter.com/CdXxHJjxnp@hrtbps pic.twitter.com/CdXxHJjxnp
— El Nombre (@lukebushnellwye) March 5, 2014— El Nombre (@lukebushnellwye) March 5, 2014
3. That time the Swiss president greeted with a Danish flag in Ukraine3. That time the Swiss president greeted with a Danish flag in Ukraine
When Swiss President Didier Burkhalter, acting head of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), traveled to Kiev for a meeting in Paril, he was greeted by an unexpected sight: The Danish flag. The Swiss press wasn't too pleased: The newspaper Aargauer Zeitung wrote that the flag mix-up was "Peinlich" (embarrassing), while Basler Zeitung wrote that Burkhalter had been greeted with a "false flag."When Swiss President Didier Burkhalter, acting head of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), traveled to Kiev for a meeting in Paril, he was greeted by an unexpected sight: The Danish flag. The Swiss press wasn't too pleased: The newspaper Aargauer Zeitung wrote that the flag mix-up was "Peinlich" (embarrassing), while Basler Zeitung wrote that Burkhalter had been greeted with a "false flag."
4. The uncomfortable body language of John Kerry and Sergei Lavrov4. The uncomfortable body language of John Kerry and Sergei Lavrov
Back in the first quarter of the year, the Russian annexation of Crimea led to lots of talks for top-level Russian and U.S. leaders in a variety of locations. Judging from the pictures, these meetings swiftly became uncomfortable. Here, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Secretary of State John F. Kerry are shown in London back in March. It doesn't look friendly.Back in the first quarter of the year, the Russian annexation of Crimea led to lots of talks for top-level Russian and U.S. leaders in a variety of locations. Judging from the pictures, these meetings swiftly became uncomfortable. Here, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Secretary of State John F. Kerry are shown in London back in March. It doesn't look friendly.
See also:See also:
Lavrov and Kerry. Hope they will be back pic.twitter.com/ZXDFNSCzhE — MFA Russia (@mfa_russia) March 14, 2014Lavrov and Kerry. Hope they will be back pic.twitter.com/ZXDFNSCzhE — MFA Russia (@mfa_russia) March 14, 2014
Lavrov and Kerry. Hope they will be back pic.twitter.com/ZXDFNSCzhELavrov and Kerry. Hope they will be back pic.twitter.com/ZXDFNSCzhE
— MFA Russia (@mfa_russia) March 14, 2014— MFA Russia (@mfa_russia) March 14, 2014
Break is over. Match continues. pic.twitter.com/C3Dmf4rq2D — MFA Russia (@mfa_russia) March 14, 2014Break is over. Match continues. pic.twitter.com/C3Dmf4rq2D — MFA Russia (@mfa_russia) March 14, 2014
Break is over. Match continues. pic.twitter.com/C3Dmf4rq2DBreak is over. Match continues. pic.twitter.com/C3Dmf4rq2D
— MFA Russia (@mfa_russia) March 14, 2014— MFA Russia (@mfa_russia) March 14, 2014
5. Xi and Abe's uncontainable excitement at finally meeting5. Xi and Abe's uncontainable excitement at finally meeting
Some world leaders made friends in 2014. The APEC summit was, for instance, the first time that Chinese President Xi Jinping and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe met on official terms. However, their grumpy demeanor suggests that perhaps their meeting, like China-Japan relations on the whole, was a little frosty.Some world leaders made friends in 2014. The APEC summit was, for instance, the first time that Chinese President Xi Jinping and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe met on official terms. However, their grumpy demeanor suggests that perhaps their meeting, like China-Japan relations on the whole, was a little frosty.
6. Hollande's trip to Kazakhstan6. Hollande's trip to Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan: François Hollande n'échappe pas à la chapka http://t.co/toSxIlzjnK pic.twitter.com/1f6LjmGDMx — 20 Minutes (@20Minutes) December 6, 2014Kazakhstan: François Hollande n'échappe pas à la chapka http://t.co/toSxIlzjnK pic.twitter.com/1f6LjmGDMx — 20 Minutes (@20Minutes) December 6, 2014
Kazakhstan: François Hollande n'échappe pas à la chapka http://t.co/toSxIlzjnK pic.twitter.com/1f6LjmGDMxKazakhstan: François Hollande n'échappe pas à la chapka http://t.co/toSxIlzjnK pic.twitter.com/1f6LjmGDMx
— 20 Minutes (@20Minutes) December 6, 2014— 20 Minutes (@20Minutes) December 6, 2014
French President Francois Hollande was also making friends during a trip to Kazakhstan in December. However, after President Nursultan Nazarbayev posted a picture of him in traditional Kazakh clothing on his Instagram, the trip went viral. Given that Hollande has, over the course of 2014, become the least popular French leader of all time (around 13 percent approval ratings in November), it wasn't a good look.French President Francois Hollande was also making friends during a trip to Kazakhstan in December. However, after President Nursultan Nazarbayev posted a picture of him in traditional Kazakh clothing on his Instagram, the trip went viral. Given that Hollande has, over the course of 2014, become the least popular French leader of all time (around 13 percent approval ratings in November), it wasn't a good look.
See also:See also:
Chapka ! Le costume kazakh porté par François #Hollande fâche le President et amuse twitter ! http://t.co/08LPRqsVMx pic.twitter.com/cLzN7gjOrE — Ulysse Paris (@ulyssepariser) December 7, 2014Chapka ! Le costume kazakh porté par François #Hollande fâche le President et amuse twitter ! http://t.co/08LPRqsVMx pic.twitter.com/cLzN7gjOrE — Ulysse Paris (@ulyssepariser) December 7, 2014
Chapka ! Le costume kazakh porté par François #Hollande fâche le President et amuse twitter ! http://t.co/08LPRqsVMx pic.twitter.com/cLzN7gjOrEChapka ! Le costume kazakh porté par François #Hollande fâche le President et amuse twitter ! http://t.co/08LPRqsVMx pic.twitter.com/cLzN7gjOrE
— Ulysse Paris (@ulyssepariser) December 7, 2014— Ulysse Paris (@ulyssepariser) December 7, 2014
7. Abbott and Abe show off their boots7. Abbott and Abe show off their boots
PM Abe wearing his gift from Australia - RM Williams boots. Both proud to be wearing them today #RMs pic.twitter.com/fxjyrSNNQz — Tony Abbott (@TonyAbbottMHR) July 9, 2014PM Abe wearing his gift from Australia - RM Williams boots. Both proud to be wearing them today #RMs pic.twitter.com/fxjyrSNNQz — Tony Abbott (@TonyAbbottMHR) July 9, 2014
PM Abe wearing his gift from Australia - RM Williams boots. Both proud to be wearing them today #RMs pic.twitter.com/fxjyrSNNQzPM Abe wearing his gift from Australia - RM Williams boots. Both proud to be wearing them today #RMs pic.twitter.com/fxjyrSNNQz
— Tony Abbott (@TonyAbbottMHR) July 9, 2014— Tony Abbott (@TonyAbbottMHR) July 9, 2014
Japan's Abe also found time to go hang out with Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott in Australia, where they visited Rio Tinto's West Angelas mine. Ostensibly, the visit was to underscore the importance of Australian iron ore for Japan, but it ended up making headlines for another reason: A "cringe-worthy" photo tweeted by Abbott designed to show off the pair's Australian-made RM Williams boots.Japan's Abe also found time to go hang out with Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott in Australia, where they visited Rio Tinto's West Angelas mine. Ostensibly, the visit was to underscore the importance of Australian iron ore for Japan, but it ended up making headlines for another reason: A "cringe-worthy" photo tweeted by Abbott designed to show off the pair's Australian-made RM Williams boots.
8. Modi's warm welcome in Australia8. Modi's warm welcome in Australia
Amazing welcome in Sydney. Glad to be here. pic.twitter.com/6sv2kmz8dh — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 17, 2014Amazing welcome in Sydney. Glad to be here. pic.twitter.com/6sv2kmz8dh — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 17, 2014
Amazing welcome in Sydney. Glad to be here. pic.twitter.com/6sv2kmz8dhAmazing welcome in Sydney. Glad to be here. pic.twitter.com/6sv2kmz8dh
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 17, 2014— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 17, 2014
The Indian prime minister was in Australia in November, marking what he later described as a new era in relations between the two nations, following a 2009 period which saw Indian students in Australia being attacked. Modi was given a lavish welcome by Australia, including a performance from aboriginal dancers which he later said was "amazing."The Indian prime minister was in Australia in November, marking what he later described as a new era in relations between the two nations, following a 2009 period which saw Indian students in Australia being attacked. Modi was given a lavish welcome by Australia, including a performance from aboriginal dancers which he later said was "amazing."
9. Putin's bromance with Sissi ...9. Putin's bromance with Sissi ...
Putin, despite isolation in the West, made some new friends too. For instance, when new Egyptian President Abdel Fatah al-Sissi came to visit Sochi, Russia, in August, they wore matching sunglasses and ties.Putin, despite isolation in the West, made some new friends too. For instance, when new Egyptian President Abdel Fatah al-Sissi came to visit Sochi, Russia, in August, they wore matching sunglasses and ties.
10 ... and Erdogan ...10 ... and Erdogan ...
Then at the start of December, as things took a turn for the worst, he went and hung out with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan – a man who often appears to be following his blueprint.Then at the start of December, as things took a turn for the worst, he went and hung out with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan – a man who often appears to be following his blueprint.
11. .... and Modi.11. .... and Modi.
Putin's burgeoning relationship with the Indian prime minister may be the most telling of the Russian prime minister's bromances: As The Post's Annie Gowen notes, Modi may well hold the power in this relationship.Putin's burgeoning relationship with the Indian prime minister may be the most telling of the Russian prime minister's bromances: As The Post's Annie Gowen notes, Modi may well hold the power in this relationship.
12. Merkel laughing12. Merkel laughing
One of the few world leaders to have a pretty good 2014 was German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who became the longest serving head of government in the European Union and was called the most powerful woman in the world by Forbes magazine. And, despite the somewhat dour portrait of her painted by a lengthy New Yorker profile, she evidently had reason to laugh.One of the few world leaders to have a pretty good 2014 was German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who became the longest serving head of government in the European Union and was called the most powerful woman in the world by Forbes magazine. And, despite the somewhat dour portrait of her painted by a lengthy New Yorker profile, she evidently had reason to laugh.
13. Kim Jong Un's triumphant return13. Kim Jong Un's triumphant return
At last, a new bizarre Kim Jong Un photo pic.twitter.com/Id13EESvYT — Adam Taylor (@mradamtaylor) October 27, 2014At last, a new bizarre Kim Jong Un photo pic.twitter.com/Id13EESvYT — Adam Taylor (@mradamtaylor) October 27, 2014
At last, a new bizarre Kim Jong Un photo pic.twitter.com/Id13EESvYTAt last, a new bizarre Kim Jong Un photo pic.twitter.com/Id13EESvYT
— Adam Taylor (@mradamtaylor) October 27, 2014— Adam Taylor (@mradamtaylor) October 27, 2014
For the first part of the year, the North Korean leader was up to his usual tricks: Visiting lubrication factories or riding in antique submarines, for example. Then, as summer came to an end, something weird happened. Kim disappeared from public view. Wild theories began to spring up, including but not limited to some kind of coup or a cheese addiction. It was an international mystery.For the first part of the year, the North Korean leader was up to his usual tricks: Visiting lubrication factories or riding in antique submarines, for example. Then, as summer came to an end, something weird happened. Kim disappeared from public view. Wild theories began to spring up, including but not limited to some kind of coup or a cheese addiction. It was an international mystery.
Soon, however, he reappeared, better than ever. And with a propaganda photograph of him touring an orphanage, he was back to his bizarre ways.Soon, however, he reappeared, better than ever. And with a propaganda photograph of him touring an orphanage, he was back to his bizarre ways.
Kim's bizarre disappearance and return was, yet again, another sign of just how little we know about North Korea. And with Wednesday's announcement that the U.S. government believes Pyongyang was behind a hack on Sony Pictures with dramatic consequences, that may be a problem.Kim's bizarre disappearance and return was, yet again, another sign of just how little we know about North Korea. And with Wednesday's announcement that the U.S. government believes Pyongyang was behind a hack on Sony Pictures with dramatic consequences, that may be a problem.
14. Pope Francis and his pellegrina14. Pope Francis and his pellegrina
Merkel may have had a good year, but there was probably no world leader more beloved on earth this year than Pope Francis. As if to prove that he ruled 2014, he even played a key role in talks to normalize relations between the United States and Cuba. If there was one thing that the pope could not win over in 2014, however, it was his pellegrina, which repeatedly refused to stay put on several occasions this year.Merkel may have had a good year, but there was probably no world leader more beloved on earth this year than Pope Francis. As if to prove that he ruled 2014, he even played a key role in talks to normalize relations between the United States and Cuba. If there was one thing that the pope could not win over in 2014, however, it was his pellegrina, which repeatedly refused to stay put on several occasions this year.
See also:See also:
Did we miss any awkward photos? Please email your suggestions.