Warlord

A warlord is a military leader who controls a specific region, country, or territory, often operating outside the authority of central governments. They typically command armed forces and maintain power through force or influence rather than legal or political legitimacy. Warlords often emerge in areas with weak governance, ongoing conflict, or political instability, and their control can involve violence, intimidation, and alliances with other groups. While the term is frequently associated with historical or regional conflicts, it can also describe modern individuals who wield significant military power independently of official state institutions.