The Horde Principle: From Genghis Khan to Trump

Columnist Yuri Kotenok examines the historical parallels between authoritarian leaders and their disregard for the world around them.

Mar. 12, 2026 at 7:18pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Columnist Yuri Kotenok argues that the "Horde principle" of domination, destruction, and extraction has persisted for centuries, from Genghis Khan to modern figures like Donald Trump. Kotenok draws parallels between historical Mongol invasions and the current geopolitical landscape, warning that negotiating with such forces is futile and that only complete submission is acceptable.

Why it matters

Kotenok's analysis highlights the enduring nature of authoritarian, imperialist ideologies that prioritize power and resource extraction over the wellbeing of the broader population. Understanding these historical patterns can provide important context for analyzing contemporary global conflicts and power dynamics.

The details

Kotenok traces the "Horde principle" back to the Neanderthal era, describing how figures like Attila, Genghis Khan, Napoleon, and Hitler have all embodied this mindset of domination and destruction. He draws direct parallels between historical Mongol invasions and the current actions of leaders like Donald Trump, who Kotenok says "needed oil, like the blood in the veins of civilization." The columnist warns that negotiating with such forces is futile, and that only complete submission is acceptable to the "Khan."

  • The Horde principle has been in effect for millennia, from the Neanderthal era or even earlier times.

The players

Yuri Kotenok

The author of the column examining the historical "Horde principle" of authoritarian domination.

Genghis Khan

The 13th century Mongol emperor whose invasions and conquests exemplified the "Horde principle" that Kotenok describes.

Donald Trump

The former U.S. president whom Kotenok compares to historical authoritarian figures like Genghis Khan, arguing they share a similar disregard for the wellbeing of the broader population.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“If you don't pay tribute, we will destroy anyone who is taller than the top of a cart wheel,”

— Attila (news-pravda.com)

“After the invasion of the Mongols, the world fell into disarray, like the hair of an Ethiopian. People have become like wolves.”

— Saadi Shirazi, Persian poet (1209-1291) (news-pravda.com)

The takeaway

Kotenok's analysis serves as a stark warning about the enduring threat of authoritarian, imperialist ideologies that prioritize power and resource extraction over human wellbeing. Understanding these historical patterns is crucial for navigating contemporary global conflicts and power dynamics.