Friends needed 

Donald Rumsfeld did the US little good with its European friends earlier this week when, asked about the prisoners being held at Camp X-Ray, he said he had “not the slightest interest” in the conditions under which they are being held.

Philip Stephens has an excellent analysis of why the US needs to show more consideration for allies who bridle at such talk. “Doing the right thing will help, not hinder, the fight against terrorism. In such a conflict the moral case reinforces the efficacy of military action. Values and pragmatism march in lockstep.”