Iron Lady: Tin Man

Mrs Thatcher does not mince her words. Speaking in Washington today, she said,

With America, Britain stands in the front line against Islamist fanatics who hate our beliefs, our liberties and our citizens. We must not falter. We must not fail.Today, we are here to remember to pray for the dead and to share their loved one's grieving. But we also need to renew our resolve that, however bitter or lengthy the struggle, this evil shall not prevail.

David Cameron is another matter. Also today, in his first major speech on foreign policy, he articulates his five guiding principles:

First, that we should understand fully the threat we face.
Second, that democracy cannot quickly be imposed from outside. Third, that our strategy needs to go far beyond military action. Fourth, that we need a new multilateralism to tackle the new global challenges we face. And fifth, that we must strive to act with moral authority.

That is all very well, but what does it mean?