America, its most important ally (and the deal's biggest backer), has taken Armenia's side.

ECONOMIST: Relations are growing frosty again

Richard Hackborn, an HP board member and Fiorina's biggest backer, is also making noise.

FORBES: Compaq With the Devil

He joined Cyras in July after Menlo Partners, Cyras' biggest backer, decided the startup needed someone who could sell newfangled switching gear to old-fashioned phone companies.

FORBES: The God Box

Her biggest backer, former President Clinton, is telling her to stay in it until the end, hoping to persuade superdelegates to switch and give her the nomination.

CNN: Commentary: No graceful bow-out for Clinton

Its prime minister, Salam Fayyad, once the darling of Western donors, is threatening hefty tax increases on businesses, hitherto his biggest backer, and may slash the PA's payroll.

ECONOMIST: Palestinian unity: Rivals who may need each other | The

Despite months of sleep deprivation and rationed diets, the 39 year-old skipper quips that the biggest challenge of the whole project was finding a financial backer in the first place.

CNN: STORY HIGHLIGHTS