Sir, It has been disappointing over the last few weeks to note the increasingly strident anti-Americanism — indeed, xenophobia, in our country.

When the intense fighting was taking place in Fallujah hardly a day went by without some politician and elements of the media criticising the fact that the operation was taking place at all, and predicting disaster. We could expect such criticism from Old Europe, but I find it sad that such views can come from leaders in our country, and I have noted an increasing tendency in our radio and television presenters to press leading questions on their interlocutors — clearly with the intention of provoking an anti-American response.

Our coalition forces, with The Black Watch fully in support, are doing an outstanding job in Iraq. How encouraging it would be if we could hear some praise for the valour of the US Marines and those other coalition forces as they fight for our freedom from Islamic terrorism. We must be in no doubt that, if we were to fail in Iraq, we would face a really dangerous threat from terrorism worldwide.

We are fortunate that President Bush was re-elected. He, and the United States, might indeed save the Western world — but it would be good if he received a little assistance from Europe in so doing.

I have the honour to be, Sir,
Your obedient servant,
MARTIN GARROD,
2 Royal Buildings, The Strand,
Walmer, Deal, Kent CT14 7HD.
November 20.

From Professor Geoffrey Lee Williams

Sir, Mr George Thomas (letter, November 19) appears to miss the salient point made by William Rees-Mogg in his Comment (November 15) on “the terrorist lions in the Sunni triangle”.

Lord Rees-Mogg has cogently grasped the idea that traditional thinking about war has been replaced by the contemporary phenomenon of asymmetric warfare in which the seemingly weaker side has become the lions and the stronger side the lambs.

The bin Laden challenge has indeed initiated global insurgency. Iraq, for whatever reason, is now at the centre of that insurgency. To quit Iraq now would be to concede victory to groups working with al-Qaeda worldwide.

Yours sincerely,
GEOFFREY LEE WILLIAMS,
(Director),
The Institute of Economic and Political Studies (Instep),
Warkworth Terrace,
Cambridge CB1 1EE.
November 20.

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