Raiko is the President of the United Republic during Book Two of The Legend of Korra. He leads the United Republic of Nations from Republic City and becomes an important civilian authority during the escalating conflict with the Northern Water Tribe.
Raiko is introduced as a politician who must balance public safety, military pressure, and the political limits of his office. When Unalaq's forces threaten the Southern Water Tribe and Republic City becomes involved, Raiko faces demands to commit the United Forces. His decisions show that the Avatar world has moved beyond monarchies and councils toward modern elected government.
Raiko is sometimes confused with Tarrlok, who is a United Republic councilman in Book One, or with Tenzin, who is an airbending master and member of the Air Nation. Varrick is also not the president: he is an influential businessman whose schemes become central to Book Two's political and economic tensions.