But Gaddafi now seems to want to reconcile his teachings and rule with a more open economy, including foreign direct investment and market based competition.

Nepal is the birthplace of Lord Buddha apostle of peace and harmony, whose teachings of peace, compassion, non violence and tolerance remain as relevant as ever and have become much more pertinent in our turbulent times.

As recently as a year ago, anyone who visited FMLN headquarters in San Salvador to interview, for example, Ceren, its Secretary General, would be struck by the overwhelming presence of Chávez red shirts, red berets, pictures of the Venezuelan caudillo, quotations from his teachings and musings.