MAIL ON SUNDAY COMMENT: Totalitarian truth behind new iron fist

Brilliant, yes; spectacular, yes. But it was also a signal of China's overarching ambition to become the dominant economic superpower.

It certainly mesmerised the likes of Ken Livingstone, who then made the ludicrous assertion on the BBC that China was not a police state.

Imperial echo: A Russian mobile artillery unit fires on a Georgian position in South Ossetia

The totalitarian truth of the country is revealed in the legions of identikit, yellow-shirted taxi drivers ordered to feign deafness if customers mention human rights or smog, and in the 425,000 police, guards and 'security volunteers' who have flooded the streets of the capital.

Russia's unflinching action in South Ossetia is equally indicative of the country's core personality, one all too familiar from the pre-glasnost era.

Moscow resents the independence of its former Soviet states and has no hesitation in using its military might to protect, and extend, its sphere of influence.

The Kremlin's reflexive Cold War mindset stirs once more when former satellite nations such as Georgia move closer to the West.

Spectacular signal: Fireworks explode at Beijing's National Stadium during the opening ceremony of the Olympics

Britain, which has tried to bolster Georgia's independent credentials by providing arms and dangling the prospect of Nato membership, is watching nervously.

The stakes are high: the Baku-Tbilisi oil pipeline running through the country is the only export route from the Caspian Sea that bypasses Russia. Moscow's near-monopoly on energy supplies has given it an extra swagger, at a time when British families are feeling the pain of soaring bills.

The limited noises coming from the Foreign Office - combined with the ineffectual chuntering of the United Nations - serve as a reality check.

If David Miliband, on holiday in Minorca, breaks off from leadership plotting to scan his Ossetian briefing notes, the summary is likely to read: 'Not much we can do. Let's hope the Americans sort it out.'

Appeal: Gangster John Kinsella

Virtual-reality justice

A dangerous gangster is appealing against his conviction while still on the run. In a bizarre, virtual-reality version of British justice, both John Kinsella's sentencing - 14 years for robbery and dangerous driving - and his appeal have taken place in his absence.

Taxpayers have stumped up more than £15,000 to pay for his challenge to a theoretical term of imprisonment.

Aside from the question marks over security - Kinsella was seen idly chatting to two men before calmly wandering out of the court - are we getting value for money from Legal Aid?

Beneficiaries such as the radical cleric Abu Hamza, who ran up more than £1million in State-funded costs for his defence, may think so. Few others would agree.