The White House pushes the Afghan decision down the road again

James Forsyth

Obama's delay is getting quite absurd. When the Afghan election was still going on, there was an argument that holding back the decision gave the Americans leverage over Karzai. But now that Karzai has been sworn in for another term this argument no longer holds. Indeed, the delay appears to be making the situation worse.

A special form of disrespect

Religion is like a jigsaw: it makes a picture out of puzzling chaos

Say you’re sorry — but never apologise for anything you’ve actually done

Downing Street is now the last refuge of the electorally damned

England’s botched bid to stage the 2018 World Cup

At last they will believe me: I was never Belle de Jour

To keep up to date, the Queen tweeted her speech this year

Clive Davis Real life and virtual Comments (0)

Coffee House A fine line between love and hatred for Peter Mandelson Comments (6)

Coffee House Not his best performance, but Cameron's emphasis on growth is welcome Comments (11)

Coffee House The White House pushes the Afghan decision down the road again Comments (15)

Melanie Phillips The smoking iceberg? Comments (32)

Where to start cutting

David Blackburn

Michael Portillo believes that a future Tory government, like those that came before it, will not succeed in cutting public spending. I agree with Pete: public finances are so

The Eighth Wonder of the World

Peter Hoskin

Brother, can you spare me £150,000? You see, I'm not normally too fussed about film memorabilia – but this is different. It's the one of the original models of

A charisma free zone

Rod Liddle

I’ve just been looking up the history of Lady Catherine Ashton, who was appointed last week to the post of Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy to the European

The peace to end all peace

Jonathan Sumption

The first world war was the last major conflict to be brought to an end in the traditional fashion, with a formal treaty of peace. Or, rather, several treaties of

Spectator sport

Simon Hoggart

The X Factor (ITV, Saturday and Sunday) is the most popular show on television at the moment. I felt I should watch it so that you don’t have to.

It’s

Buckets and Spades

Araminta Eyre

Southwest London – leafy, quiet streets of Victorian houses. North Cornwall – the bone-chilling Atlantic wind, massive breakers and tiny beach houses clinging onto the cliffs for dear life. What

Poetry reading, 25 November (more fine words from The Spectator)

On Wednesday 25 November 2009, The Spectator continues its series of successful poetry evenings showcasing some of the biggest and brightest names in contemporary poetry. The reading will take place in The Spectator Boardroom, 22 Old Queen Street, London, SW1H 9HP between 6:30pm and 9pm.