'Bush, himself the most intellectually backward American president of my political lifetime, is surrounded by advisers whose bellicosity is exceeded only by their political, military and diplomatic illiteracy. Pity the man who relies on Rumsfeld, Cheney and Rice for counsel.'

An attack on Iraq is likely to be countered by an Iraqi attack on Israel, warns the senior Labour backbencher. With Sharon in charge, Israel might strike back this time. [Spectator].