This July 3, 2012 file photo shows International Monetary Fund Managing (IMF) Director Christine Lagarde speaking in Washington. Lagarde travels the world trying to keep the global economy on track. But some of the greatest threats are brewing just blocks from her Washington office. And there's little she can do about them. The IMF has been left largely on the sidelines as Democratic and Republicans fights over the budget raise the specter of a U.S. default or possibly drive the country into recession. (AP Photo/Haraz N. Ghanbari, File)