This has been achieved partly by a factory-line of Israeli houses, partly by making it intensely difficult for Palestinians to accommodate their growing families by enlarging their houses, let alone building new ones.

ECONOMIST: Unholy rows over the holy city of Jerusalem

If the violence continues at its present level it will be hard enough for any American president to stop the existing dwindling band of helpers from bolting, let alone persuade new ones to put soldiers and civilians in harm's way.

ECONOMIST: America and Iraq