CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net (loss) income	$ (151,666)	$ 67,425
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation	140,357	137,039
Net amortization of debt discounts, premiums and deferred financing fees	321	2,752
Straight line rental income	(26,056)	(28,666)
Amortization of acquired real estate leases	46,350	44,154
Other amortization	14,727	14,610
Loss on asset impairment	225,615
Loss on early extinguishment of debt	60,027	1,895
Equity in earnings of investees	(14,913)	(8,655)
Gain on sale of equity investment	(66,293)
Distributions of earnings from investees	13,791	8,230
Net gain on sale of properties	(4,955)	(2,039)
Change in assets and liabilities:
Restricted cash	2,149	(3,689)
Rents receivable and other assets	(58,705)	(46,790)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	11,116	(9,140)
Rent collected in advance	1,945	(11,775)
Security deposits	527	415
Due to related persons	(4,677)	20,646
Cash provided by operating activities	189,660	186,412
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Real estate acquisitions	(154,430)	(389,536)
Real estate improvements	(80,239)	(86,077)
Principal payments received from direct financing lease	5,196	4,954
Principal payments received from real estate mortgages receivable	1,000
Proceeds from sale of properties, net	37,699	9,643
Proceeds from sale of equity investment, net	239,576
Distributions in excess of earnings from investees	168	4,307
Investment in Affiliates Insurance Company		(5,335)
Increase in restricted cash	(3,008)	(2,073)
Deconsolidation of a subsidiary	(12,286)
Cash provided by (used in) investing activities	33,676	(464,117)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Proceeds from issuance of common shares, net	626,809	180,814
Redemption of preferred shares		(150,000)
Repurchase and retirement of outstanding debt securities	(728,021)
Proceeds from borrowings	1,036,000	1,368,500
Payments on borrowings	(964,258)	(1,055,681)
Deferred financing fees	(1,204)	(14,734)
Distributions to common shareholders	(80,106)	(125,588)
Distributions to preferred shareholders	(33,453)	(41,558)
Distributions to noncontrolling interest in consolidated subsidiary	(14,863)	(4,508)
Cash (used in) provided by financing activities	(159,096)	157,245
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	(469)	377
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	63,771	(120,083)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	102,219	192,763
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	165,990	72,680
SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION:
Interest paid	156,841	165,874
Taxes paid	1,197	568
NON-CASH INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Real estate acquisitions		(243,212)
Investment in real estate mortgages receivable	(7,688)	(1,419)
NON-CASH FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Issuance of common shares	1,535	986
Assumption of mortgage notes payable		$ 243,212