Barcelona, Paris, New York and Moscow have shown that a directly elected mayor can be a strong symbol of civic identity.

ECONOMIST: London government

The notion that it might be a disaster is based on the misconception that a strong currency is somehow a symbol of economic virility.

ECONOMIST: Eurotrash?

They became so close that in 2005 Chavez presented the Iranian leader with the highest decoration, the Order of the Liberator, as a symbol of their strong ties.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: Venezuelas Tarek El-Aissami