Stimulating article. I would, however, suggest that the parallel with the Spanish Civil War we should adopt is that of Stalin. Both sides are supported by our adversaries. Let us provide just enough weapons to ensure one side take years to win and ideally let them fight on in perpetuity. For the West the prospect of Iran and Saudi fighting an endless proxy war in Syria is the best result.

Mr Ottolenghi is bloody right. Amen

Dear Mr. Ottolenghi, You like many who supported the Communist takeover of Spain and Portugal seem to have conveiniently forgotten their history. When Roosevelt and the rest of his crowd took over in the U.S. the Soviets were carrying out the largest genocide of the century, until their acolytes in china took power, aided by the same Roosevelt clan. Roosevelt's first action in foreign policy was to recognize the Communists in Russia while they were butchering 9 to 11 million Catholics in the Ukraine. Of course, killing Catholics is for the good of the world, which is why the Communist slaughters are never mentioned in the press. Since you and I know the Communist reporters, of the Western press gathered with their KGB masters and agreed to cover up the greatest crime till the Chinese slaughter in 59-61. Everyone likes to forget Christ has been the major enemy of the socialists for two hundred years, and his followers have suffered under every socialist regime. General Franco, smelling the hatred which would bring genocide to Spain and Portugal, rose to defend Christ against the Communists. Even now, after we have witnessed the Communists, in China, Ethiopia, Vietnam, and Cambodia, still their intentions in Spain are taken as pristine. This can only be done by a true believer. General Franco saved Spain from a genocide worse than the Ukraine, because the strength of belief in Spain would have meant killing half the population, not a third. When will the Communists when they write about the twentieth century admit, their own crimes? Sincerely, Bob