Does War Emotionally and Physically Effect The Leader?

Question

A leader, like the President or Prime Minister, or Defence Minister. When they hear about the death toll, or know they just can't win, is there a time when a leader just sits down and cry privately or publicly? Or goes out blowing angrily to his advisors?

Answer 1

i would with no doubt pull out but if it threatened  my peoples freedom i would never give up, that's something that can't be lost  

Answer 2

I would say it depends on the leader and the circumstances... a war like the one in Iraq is a long way away and, at least for our forces, not all that catastrophic when compared to past conflicts...  so I could see the president being somewhat emotionally detached (which may actually make him a better leader)...  but this would likely not be the same in a situation where the threat is on your door step and threatens the very survival of your nation...  the greatest leaders though, are able to put aside those overwhelming emotions and lead their people and we have seen plenty of those examples (Lincoln, FDR, Churchill)...

Answer 3

Of course it effects you.  Do you think you turn into an unfeeling monster just because you are a leader?  

Answer 4

I would think so, absolutely - yes.

Answer 5

A great example is the deterioration of both Hitler and Roosevelt during WWII - it killed Roosevelt and wrecked Hitler's health (though the meth he was shooting contributed to that, he wouldn't have done that but for the war).