Armor Holdings, for example, subcontracts its business in Russia (protecting multinationals such as Philip Morris, a food and tobacco company) to a local security company formed by veterans of the Alpha commando force, one of the Kremlin's crack military units before its disbandment.

ECONOMIST: Corporate security

Foreigners have been a particularly notable force in rebounding Florida, where 26 ZIP codes crack our list.

FORBES: Manhattan's Now Home To America's Most Expensive Zip Code

Debates have raged as to whether the drop in the city's crime is due to more accountability within the police force, improved economic conditions, or addressing their crack cocaine problem.

BBC: Will crime maps work?

But the new-found unity would crack if, diplomacy failing, the Americans turned to force.

ECONOMIST: Saddam defies the UN, again

When 18 crack American soldiers died there in one disastrous night in October 1993, the intervention force of which they were a part was pulled out and the Americans resolved never to intervene in Africa again.

ECONOMIST: Africa��s wars

Wolves did crack under the City pressure midway through the half when Stearman conceded a penalty after coming in with unnecessary force to bring down Silva.

BBC: Wolves 2-1 Man City