Is it really coincidence that sections of the US and Russian top brass are threatened with meltdown – and for ostensibly similar reasons? The much-decorated General David Petraeus resigned as head of the CIA after an affair that probably didn't threaten national security, and the fallout is delaying the transfer of General John Allen from his command in Afghanistan to Nato's Supreme Allied Command.

Meanwhile, in Russia, the Defence Minister, the Chief of General Staff and half a dozen generals have all lost their jobs in the past week over a corruption inquiry somehow linked with the Defence Minister being allegedly caught in flagrante with someone other than his wife. What thoroughly old-fashioned goings on, you might observe, from Paris and Helen through Nelson and Emma to today's compromised heroes. Then again, you might hail such peaceful distractions as infinitely preferable to war.