it is my pleasure to introduce our good friend con coughlin a world-renowned expert on the middle east. he is the critically acclaimed several books including the next times bestseller saddam his rise and fall. he appears regular on television rating united states and great britain has been a frequent political commentator on "fox news" cnn and nbc as well as the bbc and sky news. con coughlin is a better informed correspondent and his latest book is a gripping account of sir winston churchill's first military campaign as a young calvary lieutenant fighting affront her war against pashtun tribesmen on the northwest frontier. the great grandfathers and the taliban and try the insurgents in afghanistan. as he writes this is a story of high adventure and to endeavor which in contains important lessons for today. it's fitting that our event on churchill is hosted by the margaret thatcher center for freedom. throughout her career lady thatcher chu inspiration from church's leadership especially moments when she faced huge challenges. key moments in history that called for ironclad resolve.