I think social media is a revolutionary phenomenon all in itself.

If you're interested in politics and you're not following it, then it's a little bizarre.

Obviously it is right that the Afghans take responsibility for their own future in the end, but they need to know and feel that we are there as partners for them if they are prepared to make the necessary changes. But we should be in no doubt as to why we are in Afghanistan. We ended up there because terrorism hatched there erupted thousands of miles away in New York on Sept. 11.

I may find Saddam Hussein's regime abhorrent - any normal person would - but the survival of it is in his hands.

Now, again, what the center ground has got to do is to respond to people's genuine concerns and fears.

I'm afraid that's in the nature of modern politics - it's as much conducted by abuse as argument.

I think everyone's had their pound of flesh and now it's time to move on.