And while I am at it, perhaps I should comment on the major event of the last few days, the London bombings. What is increasingly surprising to me is the political sophistication of terrorists. There have been no recent attacks on the United States; but terrorists have rather focused on US allies (Spain, England) in the hope of driving a wedge between the US and Europe.

Indeed, given that most Britains are unenthusiastic about Britain's participation in Iraq, their reaction might be similar to that of Spain's. In short, the strategy seems to stand a good chance of working. It will be intersting to see if it does, or if it instead becomes counterproductive, driving the US and Europe closer together.