Yes, I asked my informant about that. The reply was that the Taliban was indeed a coalition of factions (and a couple of areas remain outside effective control) and it remained to be seen whether the… (View Post)

Had an interesting chat with a well-connected person (no, not Hunt) about options for Taliban negotiations. A key issue, as with Iran, is that we're sitting on a lump of cash (£1 billion or so) … (View Post)

Thanks. They do sound very sensible people. (View Post)

Yes, and the wording gives a pleasant jolt since it says he knows how to be a female Chancellor. You're supposed to say "Eh?" but then he promises a gender-balanced Cabinet and better … (View Post)

Don't think I agree, though I guess neither of us know for sure. I'm sceptical that many of the clerical staff in the Foreign Office were flown out, and frankly any of us could do a first p… (View Post)