Belarus is nominally a democracy, but its president, Alexander Lukashenko, has been in power since 1994.
Source: Deutsche Welle
Beijing celebrated the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II with these camouflaged cruise missiles.
China's premier Xi Jinping has overseen the detention of ethnic Uighurs in prison camps, in addition to the religious persecution and press censorship typical of the Chinese state.
The limits to presidents serving only two terms were lifted in 2018, allowing Xi to remain in office for life.
Venezuela's dictator Nicolas Maduro has overseen a dramatic humanitarian crisis in the country, but will not resign his post.
Maduro claimed victory in a 2018 election where he suppressed and jailed political opponents, an election result that remains disputed by opposition leader Juan Guaidó.
In the face of concern over US military intervention, Venezuela's troops put on a show for the country's Independence Day parade this year.
Trump's parade was unfavorably compared to military parades in autocratic states like Russia.
Source: PBS
Russian fighter jets practice for the Victory Day parade, in which Russia celebrates victory over Nazi Germany in 1945.
Vladimir Putin is in his fourth term as Russia's president, and has jailed political opponents and reduced press freedoms, and citizens have been harassed and beaten while observing elections.
North Korea places great importance on its military; its constitution says that military service is the duty and honor of citizens.
Source: INSIDER
North Korea also takes the opportunity to show off its firepower.
Kim Jong Il choose his son Kim Jong Un to be his successor as supreme leader over two of his older sons.
Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, oversees a theocratic regime that detains dissidents, restricts freedom of speech, and oppresses LGBT citizens.
Turkey's Recep Tayyip Erdogan rules over a country that is becoming increasingly less free. The Turkish government detains dissidents and threatens the press.
Erdogan has limited press freedom and opposition politicians have been jailed. After a failed coup, Erdogan narrowly won a referendum that expanded his legislative and judicial powers.
