"If there were instructions from the president to obstruct justice or efforts to suborn perjury, such actions likely took the form of conversations involving the president's closest advisers, " she wrote.

CNN: AllPolitics

Separately, Ms Diallo's lawyer in France launched a suit this week against one of Mr Strauss-Kahn's political friends for trying to suborn a witness in the Paris suburb where he was once mayor.

ECONOMIST: But what sort of reception can he expect in France?

But the secret police and army, his family-connected network of businessmen and cronies, who control much of the economy and suborn enough politicians, and a slavishly deferential state-controlled press all contrive to keep him going.

ECONOMIST: What next for Slobodan Milosevic?

It adds insult to injury that Chinese efforts to suborn or otherwise influence this country's elected leaders might have been underwritten, at least in part, by the proceeds of undisciplined bond sales to American companies and citizens.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: Center For Security Policy