"Islam is here to stay in Europe. Non-Muslims too must adapt, and we do."

"What impressed those of us who heard Father Halik was that Professor Tomáš Halik spoke much more forcefully than any British cleric would dare to do on such a formal occasion."

Unless Europeans and Americans reform government by cutting back its functions and adopting the best practice in delivering services, from Indian medicine to Singaporean welfare, they risk being overtaken by China and other rivals.

The betrayal of Ukraine is only the latest chapter in the slow retreat of Western civilisation since the triumph of 1989. Unless something changes soon, that retreat now threatens to become a stampede.