I'm up-to-date with writing. Well, I've done all I can but I'm expecting - and hoping for more work to do - later this week. So it seems like a good time to post.

The Irish re-referendum put the European Union in mind. Where do you begin with Europe? Not with the ratification of the Lisbon treaty, I'm tempted to say.

The important matters facing the Europeans are, firstly, the unlikelihood of the EU member states being able to agree on a coordinated policy to ensure the continent's energy security. Secondly, mainland Europe's unpreparedness for defending itself against terrorists or other security threats. To be more precise, the situation in Afghanistan seems to be an indication that the case for putting any but a token number of armed forces in harms way is unwinnable.

Europe has enjoyed a very successful sixty five years. There's been economic miracles, a period of unparalleled plenty for much of the continent together with liberty, democracy and welfare. Twenty years ago there was a massive boost to this success story with the collapse of the Soviet empire and the crumbling of the iron curtain together with a repeat of the whole enriching process in the eastern half of the continent.

However, there's a darker story alongside all the successes with a massive reduction in Europe's relative size (in terms of population) and its economic importance. The scope for Europe finding itself imposed upon has been increasing stealthily. With the US guaranteeing Europe's security, the continent has become used to safety at a fraction of its true cost in terms of treasure or collective will. If they could, the leaders of the EU would probably opt for securing the continent with a few dynastic marriages like the Hapsburgs.

When it comes to the Lisbon treaty, it's not so much that it making Europe's leaders less accountable - though it does seem to be doing that, too. It's more that when it comes to foreign policy it seems to be aiming for a point between two stools. The new post of High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy looks like a fine way of saving anyone having to really take responsibility for security. This isn't surprising because ever since 1957 the EU has been able to lean heavily on outsiders for defence. It was just this focus on security that the Irish objected to so much in their first referendum.

Without an almost unimaginable degree of unanimity in terms of practical defence measures, there's no point in having a common security policy. A common EU approach to security is only going to work if we're about to enjoy some years of unprecedented peacefulness to make it easy (or possibly a threat so dire that everyone was shaken out of complacency).

The UK for one is a long way from seeing security issues so plainly. Neither the Conservatives nor the Liberals - but for different reasons - seem happy to mention the EU in the same breath as defence. And this failure to engage with security issues looks like a continent-wide phenomenon. Although, there are some sound arguments for scaling down the involvement in Afghanistan, you can't help wondering if a lot of European politicians are not only lukewarm about NATO involvement but embarrased because it's demonstrates all too clearly how little political will there is for a campaign anywhere or any time.

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There was an interesting editorial piece by Andrew Sullivan in yesterday's Sunday Times, recommending inaction on President Obama's part for a while longer because it's so difficult to see which way the wind is blowing in Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Although the United States has tended to approach campaigns in Iraq and Afghanistan, as justified sorting out, straightening what's become crooked, there is another side to America. As a revolutionary nation themselves, they're also pre-disposed to be demoralised by successful insurgency.

It's probably been said already (and put better) but it looks as if Afghanistan is one of the last examples of something. The country may be a mess and the people hopeless and despairing because of all the cruelty visited on them but is nation building what they really wanted? Isn't there some kind of looser polity that could be made to work?

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No walks this week except a visit to Winkworth Arboretum to look at the autumn colours. It's a peak effort time in my garden making sure that things don't become so big and high that I need outside help to keep it under control. Today, we're having the first real rain for a long time. There are pigeon feathers on the grass but I saw the pigeon get away from the ginger cat that pounced on it out of nowhere.

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I've been reading 'The Other Side Of You' by Salley Vickers; very thought provoking.