For the Benefit of Mali- or the Glory of France? by James W Monroe

Unnoticed by many, the civil war in Mali has raged for the last few years between nationalist Tauregs and Islamic militant supporters against the democratic government. The rebels upped the ante since 2007 when they took over the north, helped by unrest and weapons from surrounding nations.

At the recent crisis point (at time of writing 16 January 2013) when the city of Konna was captured, the French launched a very bold, aggressive and assertive ground war. Despite having international diplomatic support (unlike some previous Western military ventures), this action is independent of a UN decision or a NATO task force. Although there are other African armies arriving to assist in the fighting, to all extents and purposes the French are going it alone in Mali. This is a marked contrast to previous military campaigns; hopefully a rapid unilateral action will be more effective than past joint operations.

Succession to the Crown Bill "Clegg knows best"

The doubtful and petulant man-child Clegg transforms the majesty and responsibility of constitution and government to the status of third rate company board meetings with temper tantrums if he doesn't get his own way. The legacy bequeathed to the nation is being trashed by this incontinent meddling in pursuit of a "Clegg knows best" philosophy. Clegg is a greater hazard to this country than any malevolent non-extraditable cleric. This is playing with the 1688 Settlement caused by James II trying to reintroduce Roman Catholicism after Charles II gingerly tried to restore the Stuart Monarchy in 1660 and Re-Establish The Church of England and House of Lords. The Act of Union with Scotland 1704 is predicated on the 1701 Act of Settlement. Playing with the basis of the Constitution and the basis of Great Britain is a bizarre act in times like these. The political class seems obsessed with undoing the ties that bind.