W ith tensions between Russia and Georgia rising, Chinese nationalism growing in response to condemnation of Beijing's crackdown on Tibet, the dictators of cyclone-ravaged Burma resisting international aid, the crisis in Darfur still raging, the Iranian nuclear programme still burgeoning and Robert Mugabe still clinging violently to rule in Zimbabwe - what do you suppose keeps some foreign policy columnists up at night? It is the idea of a new international organisation, a league or concert of democratic nations.

"Dangerous," warns a columnist on this page, fretting about a new cold war. Nor is he alone. On both sides of the Atlantic the idea - set forth most prominently by Senator John McCain a year ago - has been treated as impractical and incendiary. Perhaps a few observations can still this rising chorus of alarm.