But a government contemplating war should surely provide a credible advance estimate of the final bill, akin to what Mr Stiglitz and Ms Bilmes have done.

ECONOMIST: Invading Iraq

This operation comes as the U.S. military is contemplating adding three brigades to the war effort in Afghanistan.

CNN: Afghanistan delays presidential election

Italy, too, is contemplating some degree of devolution as the cold-war glue of old parties and their loyalties to a Roman centre has gone.

ECONOMIST: Devolution can be salvation

President Bush is not contemplating withdrawing forces from Iraq now despite an erosion of support among Republicans for his war policy, the White House said Monday.

NPR: Senate Democrats to Switch Tactics on Iraq War