But Mr Obasanjo has annoyed many senior Nigerian politicians by his anti-corruption campaigns, which they see as politically motivated, and by his apparent breaking of promises.

ECONOMIST: Nigeria

Democrats see the hearing as a politically motivated effort to keep alive an eight-month-old story and drag in former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, a possible 2016 Democratic presidential contender.

WSJ: Clash Erupts at Benghazi Hearing

Mr Putin, initially eager for Russia to be in the big international clubs, has come to see some WTO demands as a politically motivated nuisance.

ECONOMIST: Russia and world trade

But it is hard to see the SEC's policy change as anything but politically motivated.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: Center For Security Policy