One explanation might be that Russia's policymakers are at daggers drawn about the issue.

ECONOMIST: Climate change

In the 1970s Mr Ecevit was at daggers drawn, ideologically and almost literally, with Mr Bahceli's late predecessor, Alparslan Turkes.

ECONOMIST: A swelling tide of nationalism may change Turkish politics

By then the coalition partners could well be at daggers drawn, and the Lib Dems join Labour against an opt-out, in a sign of allegiances to come.

ECONOMIST: Opting out of the EU

Since it emerged last month that Abilio Diniz, the chairman of CBD, had contacted Carrefour to discuss a possible tie-up, Casino and Mr Diniz have been at daggers drawn.

ECONOMIST: Supermarkets in Brazil

But the rival camps are still at daggers drawn.

ECONOMIST: China

Stakeholders on both sides of this debate are at word-daggers drawn in legal and constitutional combat.

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One Independent councillor in 2009 found the daggers drawn at county hall in Truro an unedifying spectacle.

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