America has tightened the screws on Iran, but not yet stopped its nuclear programme and, many say, failed at a crucial moment in 2009 to give moral support to the country's democracy activists.

ECONOMIST: American diplomacy

Afterwards, Libya's deputy UN envoy said the sanctions would give "moral support" to the anti-Gaddafi protesters.

BBC: Libya: UN Security Council votes sanctions on Gaddafi

Her big break came in 1947, when she went to give a friend moral support at an audition, only to be dragged onto the stage herself, where she performed for music hall star Joyce Grenfell.

BBC: Daphne Oxenford

America's troops and our coalition partners are determined to win -- and they will win, if we continue to give them the moral and material support they need to do the job.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: What are we fighting for?

But they look to France for the moral (and financial) support they need to give that style a voice.

ECONOMIST: From ra? to rap