No military timetable should compel war when a successful outcome, namely a disarmed Iraq may be feasible without war, for example by allowing more time to the UN inspectors.

Some people find it difficult to argue with a woman Prime Minister and shrivel up.

The tragedy of 9/11 galvanised the American superpower into action, leaving us in Europe divided in its wake.

Diplomacy is unfashionable in the world of knee-jerk reaction and the dogmatic sound bite on television.

Margaret Thatcher was fearful of German unification because she believed that this would bring an immediate and formidable increase of economic strength to a Germany which was already the strongest economic partner in Europe.

We must admit that history is enjoyable to a large extent because it enables us to pass judgment on the past.

There is no consensus even today on the merits of Napoleon - and certainly no agreement on the rights and wrongs of the origins of the First World War.