Mr Kirchner set great store by defying the IMF, which he blamed for the 2001 collapse.

ECONOMIST: Argentina after Kirchner

"At that time, people would have set great store by the motions of the planets, " says O'Brien.

BBC: Star of Bethlehem: The astronomical explanations

He continues to set great store by development aid to further policy but he has thoughts as well on preventing the spread of nuclear weapons and reforming international institutions.

ECONOMIST: The prime minister's developing view of the world

All great empires set too much store by predictions of their imminent demise.

NEWYORKER: After America