Putin Ousts Obama for Forbes' “Most Powerful” Title

President Barack Obama has been unseated by Russian President Vladimir Putin as the world's most powerful person on Forbes' annual list.

That marks the first time Putin has topped the list. Obama has topped it every year Forbes has compiled it, with the exception of 2010, when the former Chinese leader Hu Jintao came out on top.

"Putin has solidified his control over Russia while Obama’s lame duck period has seemingly set in earlier than usual for a two-term president," Forbes wrote, by way of explaining its new top spot.

On the 2013 list, Obama comes in at number two, Chinese President Xi Jinping at number three, list newcomer Pope Francis at number four and German Chancellor Angela Merkel at number five.

The new second-place ranking for Obama comes just as a new NBC News poll shows his approval rating at an all-time low and as his hands-off management style appears to be causing doubts about his legacy.

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