It says the buyout was a purely foreign affair to which U.S. securities laws do not apply.

FORBES: Innocents at Home

But when incidents such as the embassy break-in become an international affair and foreign governments question Egypt's ability to protect diplomats, whoever they may be, people become edgier.

ECONOMIST: Egypt and Israel

Although the country will receive international help to hold the elections, they will take place as a purely domestic affair, unlike the foreign-sponsored elections in Cambodia last year.

ECONOMIST: On democracy��s front line

Even before this year, hacking had been more of an armchair affair with distant actors, corporations and foreign powers stealing information from one another.

FORBES: Is There More Actual Hacking or More Reporting of Hacking?

Ken Loach's The Angel's Share, Ben Affleck's Argo and Denmark's A Royal Affair are among the titles shortlisted in the foreign film category.

BBC: Emmanuelle Riva

Jewish groups and foreign governments, including America's, remained silent about the affair, as negotiators worked behind the scenes to secure their release.

ECONOMIST: Iran

Still, relations between Turkey and its most important ally have been dented by the affair, which is bound to be bad for the foreign investment that the country sorely needs.

ECONOMIST: Face value

La Republique, normally the iron-masked protector of its businesses from foreign hands, has been--relatively--peaceable about the whole affair.

FORBES

Until a few months ago, the foreign ministry was trying hard to reach a compromise with Europe on the Rushdie affair, and indeed thought it was near one.

ECONOMIST: Iran