Satan is the ruler of the world, all kingdoms are under his power etc.
The watchtower repeats this over and over ad infinitum. This was true before the cross and resurrection, but hasn't been true for nearly 2000 years now.
Agree with most everthing you wrote moomanchu. But...
After Jesus resurrected himself from the dead (which was simply awesome) he declared that he has all authority in heaven and earth. Jesus is just waiting for the gentile times to run out to sit on his personal throne in Jerusalem. Meanwhile, governments and kingdoms are described as "ministers" by the apostles.
Romans 13 begins:
Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment.....
For he is God’s minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God’s minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil.(Rom. 13:1–2, 4).
Viewing governments as agents for Satan had a very damaging effect on me as a young teenager. In the wake of 1975, I viewed the WT leaders as idiots but still believed the theology. Had I believed that Jesus was in control, I believe I would have had more respect for authority and could have avoided some serious mistakes.
I carried that lie around with me for decades until I eventually joined a bible believing church and got it straightened out.