Phar Lazar - Evil Monk

Phar Lazar is the source of evil in this medieval fantasy.  As with all villains, he seeks total power, but he also wants to cheat death.  More than anything, he wants to live forever, so that he can exert power throughout time. How many modern-day despots can you think of who still appear to think and behave in this way?  You might need the fingers of two hands.