Were the Soviet Union to sink tomorrow under the waters of the ocean, the American military-industrial establishment would have to go on, substantially unchanged, until some other adversary could be invented. Anything else would be an unacceptable shock to the American economy.

Since the collapse of the Soviet bloc in 1989 the West has been involved in wars in Afghanistan, Bosnia and Iraq, “on drugs” and “on crime”. What is it that we hope to gain to compensate for the loss of trillions of pounds, thousands of lives, four airliners, two skyscrapers, our civil liberties and, most of all, the simple feeling of being safe?

Is not the only thing more terrifying than terrorism the thought that the “perpetual war for perpetual peace”, in the words of the historian Charles A. Beard, is actually unwinnable? And if that is true, just who and what are we fighting for?

Yours sincerely,
MATTHEW R. ILLSLEY,
57 Meden Avenue,
Market Warsop, nr Mansfield,
Nottinghamshire NG20 0PP.
mrillsley@tiscali.co.uk
September 20.

From Mr Christopher Chown

Sir, During the Second World War, after an illegal invasion and occupation of France, the Resistance was lauded and supported by Britain and her Allies. Now, following an illegal invasion and occupation, Tony Blair is calling on the international community to condemn the “terrorists” operating in Iraq.

I’m not sure that I understand the difference between the Resistance in the Second World War and the insurgents and rebels operating in Iraq today.

Yours faithfully,
CHRISTOPHER CHOWN,
18 Sarum Terrace,
Bow Common Lane, E3 4HJ.
September 20.

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