There are too many people who imagine that there is something sophisticated about always believing the best of those who hate your country, and the worst of those who defend it.

Just rejoice at the news and congratulate our armed forces and the Marines. Rejoice!

If the Europeans truly wish to improve their NATO contribution they can show it simply enough. They can establish professional armed forces, like those of the UK. And they can acquire more advanced technology. Indeed, unless that happens soon the gulf between the European and US capabilities will yawn so wide that it will not be possible to share the same battlefield. Alas, I do not think that sharing battlefields with our American friends - but rather disputing global primacy with them - is what European defence plans are truly about.

I love argument, I love debate. I don't expect anyone just to sit there and agree with me, that's not their job.

Wars are not caused by the buildup of weapons. They are caused when an aggressor believes he can achieve his objectives at an acceptable price.

As a motive for terror, religion has more often than not required a good deal of lubrication by lucre.

My first guiding principle is this: willing and active co-operation between independent sovereign states. Europe will be stronger precisely because it has France as France, Spain as Spain, Britain as Britain, each with its own customs, traditions and identity. It would be folly to try to fit them into some sort of identikit European personality.