Presidential Material

Finally, someone who seems to have a clue about combatting terrorism! Mikhail Gorbachev was the other (often downplayed) key participant in the ending of the Cold War. In fact, had Gorbachev not been part of the process, the fall of the Berlin Wall wouldn't have happened until years later. So, I think it's worth listening to whatever he might have to say.

Gorbachev Calls For Terror Talks

Former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev says terrorism can only be fought by political means, just weeks after the Beslan school siege ended in tragedy with at least 338 dead.

Mr Gorbachev called on world leaders to come together in a "united effort" to combat terrorism.

"What is more," he told Newsnight, "the united efforts must be directed at a political solution of problems relating to terrorism and at cutting the supply channels of terrorism."

He also dismissed the notion of a viable war against terrorism saying: 'I don't believe it is a war that we are talking about, some people even say that a Third World War has broken out.

In terms of the global fight against terrorism, world leaders needed to fully recognise widespread poverty is a "breeding ground for terrorists", said Mr Gorbachev.

"We should not reduce everything down to weapons and violence."