Doing research work at the National Archives; the field (British military assistance in Africa in the 70s & 80s) isn’t one I know much about, but the old sarcastic officer wit is extremely familiar.
MO, SD. My dear good friends,
I’ve studied both the scenes;
The former formulates the ends ,
The other finds the means.
But Maggie (Allah bless her name)
Is tough on cash restrictions.
And men need more, to fight a war,
Or stake a claim in a new Great Game,
Than the courage of convictions.
Policy and money hand in hand
Can spot the gaps and span ‘em
– But you can’t outplay old Ivan’s hand
On three per cent per annum.
underneath the open sky 