No shots will be fired, the only blood that will be spilled is metaphorical, so for those who like history, political science and speculating on the role of government it is interesting (and physically safe) to look closely at the drive for Scottish independence.

Simon Jenkins, a man who sits at the top table of Britain's establishment despite his Celtic origins, has some very interesting ideas in his Guardian column:

"Britain went to war to break up the Yugoslav union," he chides those who fear Scottish independence.  "Many Britons yearn for the break-up of the European one. Why do they fight to sustain the United Kingdom as it manifestly crumbles?"

Britain's Tory-led coalition government gave the green light today to the biggest domestic rail project since the 19th century.

HS2 will link London to Birmingham, the country's second largest city. Distance: 140 miles. The cost: £32.7 billion ($50.6 billion). Completion date: 2026.

It is then supposed to be extended further north to Manchester and Leeds.

Europe's power couple got down to work on the nuts and bolts of the new treaty for euro zone countries that will, they hope, put the brakes on the sovereign debt crisis. A fiscal compact with penalties for euro zone countries that run deficits above three percent of GDP is the core of that treaty.

At a press conference after both Merkel and Sarkozy expressed confidence the treaty will be done and agreed on and ready for signature by March 1. Agreed on - probably. But my experience tells me to be slightly skeptical about ready for signatures on March 1.

More interesting news to those who follow this as a regular part of their daily existence was Merkel joining Sarkozy in endorsing a financial transaction tax, or Tobin tax, on all EU banks.