The 'mutual defence' clause has not been abandoned. There is no agreement - not yet, at least - between France, Germany and the UK to scrap the 'mutual defence clause' from the 'Common Security and Defence Policy' chapter of the Constitution for Europe. London has expressed strong reservations, it's true; and part of the British media always assumes that what London wants (or what that section of the media wants) has been won. In fact, the three countries are in the process of seeking...