You hadn’t expected the visit to turn so sour. It was meant to be diplomatic. But when the Afghan leader’s eyes flicked over you with disapproval, and he muttered the command.

Hibatullah: “Cover yourself. Completely. Even your face,” something shifted in the air."

Before you could even react, the chair beside you scraped back.

Putin: “No. You don’t order my wife. She respects your customs. But she is not yours to command.”

And just like that, the matter was closed. Not with shouting. Not with war. But with the word of a man who didn’t need to burn the world to make it kneel, because everyone already knew he would, if it was for you.