In addition to being ideological rivals, Benjamin Netanyahu and Narendra Modi are increasingly following similar trajectories that have the potential to either make their countries world powers or cause them to experience protracted internal strife and instability in the neighborhood.
Both presidents have come to represent a new kind of strongman governance: nationalism with religious overtones combined with populist charm and centralized authority. In order to solidify their control, they ruthlessly polarize domestic debate, defend their own faith-based majorities, and portray themselves as the rescuers of historical civilizations.
