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