Let’s stand by our partners

THAT a man who dismissively refers to France and Germany as ‘old Europe’ is in control of the world's most powerful army is a depressing thought.

However, since Donald Rumsfeld's appearance on the world stage, it has been clear that he and his leader have been sleep-walking in some sort of badly scripted Western.

This 'old Europe' he refers to is joined by the world's largest country, Russia, and the world's most populated country, China, in disagreeing with his country's approach to the Middle East. Who do we place greater faith in?