What is more, despite the inevitable short-term chaos, the return of Mr Chavez to power in Venezuela actually strengthens the cartel.

ECONOMIST: Oil

The expectation that America would abandon Afghanistan, which would return to chaos, is believed to have loomed large in Pakistan's calculations.

ECONOMIST: Afghanistan and the United States

It was feared that a negative ruling would throw global markets into chaos and force Europe's politicians to return to the drawing board to tackle Europe's debt crisis.

CNN: German Constitutional Court backs European rescue fund