der Drahtzieher, –

The German word "Drahtzieher" is a noun made up of two parts:

• Draht = "wire"
• Zieher = from the verb ziehen meaning "to pull"

Literally, it means "wire-puller," but metaphorically, it refers to the "mastermind" or "puppet master"—someone who secretly controls or manipulates events behind the scenes.

Similar words:

• Mastermind (in German used as a loanword)
• Strippenzieher (literally "string-puller," synonymous with Drahtzieher)
• Hintermann (person behind the scenes)

Difference:
While Drahtzieher and Strippenzieher are largely interchangeable as terms describing secret influencers or manipulators, Hintermann can be a more general term for a person working in the background, not necessarily implying control or manipulation.