There have been claims in France that the burka is a threat to the secular nature of society.   A garment worn by at most a few thousand women is a threat.

There is something odd going on here. Something strange. A state is being threatened. Secularism is being challenged. The structure of a society is so fragile, it is in danger of collapse. Because a few thousand women cover their faces.

If the concerns are real, then it could change human conflict forever. No need for vast armies. No need for subterfuge, or intelligence services risking the lives of agents in foreign lands.

All that is needed to destroy an enemy is a few thousand pieces of cloth, placed just so over the faces of women.

The new battles will be fought between tailors, each desperate to design the more devastating veil. The arms race will be over, replaced by the face race. The great fashion houses will grow into monsters fed by the defence budget.

Meanwhile, there will be great political debates, as part of the struggle to design a free society that can't be brought to its knees by clothing.

It may be a futile effort.