CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Cash Flow - Operating Activities
Net income	$ 69,169	$ 68,153	$ 70,446
Adjustments to net income
Depreciation and amortization, including intangible assets and deferred financing costs	96,907	72,486	46,720
Loss from equity investments in real estate in excess of distributions received	18,521	419	1,868
Unrealized (gain) loss on foreign currency transactions and others	(2,452)	2,221	3
Realized gain on foreign currency transactions and others	(3,690)	(1,128)	(6,055)
Straight-line rent adjustment and amortization of rent-related intangibles	(19,464)	(14,185)	(11,616)
Impairment charges	0	2,019	(70)
Gain on sale of real estate	(8,059)	(1,832)	(787)
Loss on extinguishment of debt	538	0	0
Non-cash asset management fee expense	21,953	18,935	13,435
Accretion of commercial mortgage-backed securities	(632)	0	0
Settlement of derivative asset (liability)	2,964	0	(5,131)
Deferred income taxes	(3,706)	0	0
Net changes in other operating assets and liabilities	12,136	10,187	(7,298)
Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities	184,185	157,275	101,515
Cash Flows - Investing Activities
Distributions received from equity investments in real estate in excess of equity income	7,463	23,616	90,571
Acquisitions of real estate and direct financing leases	(404,914)	(799,175)	(658,546)
Capital contributions to equity investments in real estate	(156,228)	(73,656)	(228,519)
VAT paid in connection with acquisition of real estate	(29,071)	(15,594)	(4,592)
VAT refunded in connection with acquisition of real estate	40,933	7,314	29,336
Proceeds from sale of real estate	19,973	59,323	19,821
Funds placed in escrow	(67,294)	(52,266)	(196,291)
Funds released from escrow	70,330	35,159	186,958
Payment of deferred acquisition fees to an affiliate	(14,354)	(15,708)	(14,455)
Proceeds from repayment of notes receivable	0	0	49,560
Purchase of notes receivable	0	0	(30,000)
Investment in securities	(1,614)	(7,071)	(2,394)
Net Cash Used in Investing Activities	(534,776)	(838,058)	(758,551)
Cash Flows - Financing Activities
Distributions paid	(198,440)	(147,649)	(102,503)
Contributions from noncontrolling interests	0	762	1,197
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	(26,760)	(24,427)	(23,214)
Scheduled payments of mortgage principal	(22,260)	(17,525)	(14,136)
Prepayment of mortgage principal	(22,570)	(11,224)	0
Proceeds from mortgage financing	308,873	469,709	243,517
Funds placed in escrow	20	8,691	17,919
Funds released from escrow	(5,409)	(6,780)	(8,932)
Proceeds from loans from affiliates	0	0	90,000
Repayments of loan from affiliate	0	0	(90,000)
Payment of financing costs and mortgage deposits, net of deposits refunded	(4,006)	(1,667)	(9,423)
Proceeds from issuance of shares, net of issuance costs	97,975	897,660	575,251
Purchase of treasury stock	(18,184)	(17,189)	(9,060)
Net Cash Provided by Financing Activities	109,239	1,150,361	670,616
Change in Cash and Cash Equivalents During the Year
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	7,130	2,026	4,401
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	(234,222)	471,604	17,981
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year	652,330	180,726	162,745
Cash and cash equivalents, end of year	$ 418,108	$ 652,330	$ 180,726