Mr Obama's greater sternness towards Israel is for the general good including Israel's.

ECONOMIST: Israel and the world

Another is the sternness of the IMF, which says it cannot release next month's tranche of money before it knows that the euro zone will fully fund Greece next year.

ECONOMIST: Charlemagne

It will be Mr Oaten's task to maintain the Lib Dems' admirable concern for civil liberties, while introducing a new sternness on policing and anti-social behaviour.

ECONOMIST: Liberal Democrats