Note 15 - Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income ("AOCI") - Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017		Sep. 30, 2016
Balance at the beginning of the year	$ 5,402,874		$ 5,181,951
Balance at the end of the year	5,408,144		5,431,962
Accumulated Foreign Currency Adjustment Attributable to Parent [Member]
Balance at the beginning of the year	6,335		6,616
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	3,711		971
Amounts reclassified from AOCI (1)	(10,046)	[1]
Net current-period other comprehensive income	(6,335)		971
Balance at the end of the year			7,587
Accumulated Net Investment Gain (Loss) Attributable to Parent [Member]
Balance at the beginning of the year	406		398
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	(1,466)		18
Amounts reclassified from AOCI (1)		[1]
Net current-period other comprehensive income	(1,466)		18
Balance at the end of the year	(1,060)		416
Accumulated Net Gain (Loss) from Cash Flow Hedges Attributable to Parent [Member]
Balance at the beginning of the year	(975)		(1,426)
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	308		(432)
Amounts reclassified from AOCI (1)		[1]
Net current-period other comprehensive income	308		(432)
Balance at the end of the year	(667)		(1,858)
AOCI Attributable to Parent [Member]
Balance at the beginning of the year	5,766		5,588
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	2,553		557
Amounts reclassified from AOCI (1)	(10,046)	[1]
Net current-period other comprehensive income	(7,493)		557
Balance at the end of the year	$ (1,727)		$ 6,145

[1] During 2015, the Company began selling properties within its Canadian portfolio and has continued to liquidate its investments over the last two years. During the three months ended September 30, 2017, the Company was deemed to have substantially liquidated its investment in Canada, triggered primarily by the receipt of various tax refunds and as a result, recognized a net cumulative foreign currency translation gain. Amounts were reclassified to the Company's Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations as follows (i) $14.8 million of gain was reclassified to Equity in income of other real estate investments, net, and (ii) $4.8 million of loss was reclassified to Equity in income of joint ventures, net.