The Pushtuns have numbers on their side but, the king apart, no widely accepted leader and little military clout.

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For the fact is that the Europeans are still a long way from building up a military clout that could even remotely match (never say rival) that of the United States.

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Although Britain is normally seen as an awkward customer in EU affairs, resisting deeper political integration, it has traditionally been rather open to European countries pooling their diplomatic and military clout on a case-by-case basis, to gain global influence.

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Mr Bashir provided the military clout.

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India's military and economic clout add to its importance in U.S. international policy.

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White recently wrote an essay describing the mounting pressures on the Syrian military, including the growing opposition clout and defections.

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Moreover, advocates of a much humbler military posture underestimate the rewards military dynamism brings: in Britain's relationship with America and its clout at the United Nations and elsewhere.

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Some senior military officers still dislike Habibie (a civilian) because a few years back he used his clout with Suharto to influence what arms were purchased.

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