The Character of Our Economic Leaders

Named by the Guiness Book of World Records as "the most widely syndicated political cartoonist in the world," Ranan Lurie has an unbeatable audience—and accolades to back it up. The Wall Street Journal deemed Lurie "a master caricaturist," Time magazine described him as "a journalist of Olympian stature," and Bill Moyers proclaimed him "the dean" of his profession. Born in Israel, Lurie has been an American citizen since 1974, and from the outset his comics have taken a discerning look at international events. His approach to contemporary politics is wry, yet also well-informed, no doubt because he possesses a first-hand knowledge of international affairs. He has interviewed, on a one-on-one basis, over 70 world leaders, among them Ronald Reagan, George Bush, James Baker, Yitzak Rabin, Henry Kissinger, Boutrous Boutrous-Gali, Kofi Annan, and Ariel Sharon. His devotion to understanding his subject material led the United Nations to create an award for international cartoonists bearing his name in 1995.

Lurie's animated cartoons will be featured on the Village Voice Web site in the coming weeks every Monday and Thursday. His contribution there will be a humorous and, more important, insightful commentary on contemporary world events, during an increasingly confrontational state of international affairs.