17. Paul Wolfowitz
Paul Wolfowitz played a pivotal role as a chief architect of the Iraq War, shaping U.S. defense policy in the early 2000s. He was heavily criticized for his optimistic forecasts about the war’s outcome and for controversial postwar planning that failed to anticipate ensuing instability. Yet, Wolfowitz was also hailed by supporters for his steadfast vision of promoting democracy in the Middle East, making him one of the era’s most polarizing defense strategists (via The Guardian).
