Well, the U.N. Security Council resolution 1973 is very clear. It says all necessary measures to be taken to protect civilians and civilian areas. I mean, that to me is very clear.

Jumping, waving arms, cheering, laughing, head-butting him in the groin, an unfortunate ritual in the Tanner home, very much unappreciated by Jim, but tolerated for the sake of the children, Grace, Bobby and Steven joined...

I understand all the problems for the Ministry of Defence, of course I do; working within a budget and trying to do so many things is not easy.

It seemed like it was always autumn in this field – it was fitting really. Everything was shaded with the bronzes and yellows of faded pictures from an old photo album, it was a realm...

Soldiering is a very important profession, is it not?

Everything starts and finishes with the soldier.

The Russians are a very sentimental people.

Missing your lunch is not exactly the end of the world.

You cannot expect soldiers to change people’s minds. That has to be done in other ways.

It is absolutely bedrock to the British Army’s philosophy that a commanding officer is responsible for what goes on within his command.

Intervention continues to be a prominent dimension of the post-cold war world.

Military operations cannot be tidy or free of friction – particularly in a coalition whose contributing nations see the campaign through national prisms.

If you move between battalions, you are still within the same tribe.

Nations, not least America, retain full command of their national forces.

Not much over £1,000 a month for the private soldier on operations is hardly an impressive figure.