The Washington Post Column

To date, American troops have picked up the five of spades (Saddam Hussein’s half-brother) as well as the queen of spades (a former Iraqi prime minister). The ace of spades, Hussein himself, is still at large, however.

When is human rights abuse not human rights abuse? When the U.N. Human Rights Commission is discussing it — or so it seems, judging by that august body’s 59th session, now taking place in Geneva.

A few days before the United States invaded Iraq, two retired Russian generals received medals from Saddam Hussein’s defense minister.

Although nearly 10 years have passed since the death of the North Korean dictator Kim Il Sung — father of the current North Korean dictator, Kim Jong Il — the photographs of his people in mourning are still hard to forget. In particular, the television footage of a woman crying in the streets of Pyongyang

The argument about women in combat is over. In fact, it was over three years ago, when two female sailors were among the victims of the bombing of the USS Cole.

He has dark circles beneath his eyes, and his cheeks are hollow and gray. Last week he appeared on television to defend his policy on Iraq — sweating, looking as if he’d rather be anywhere else.

Last week the mayors were in town. From Connecticut and Minnesota and Massachusetts they came, prepared to lobby Congress and the White House and the press about their concern, in this age of bone-scraping budget cuts, for their cities.

Fifty years ago today, Stalin died. Or rather, 50 years ago today, Stalin’s henchman announced that Stalin had died.

Why is the mayor of Boleslawiec sounding so optimistic? What is the mayor of Szczeczinek so enthused about? How come the mayor of Zagan is hoping for new roads and a boost for his local merchants?

As I write these words, a dusty, year-old copy of the “Budget of the United States Government, Fiscal Year 2003” sits beside me on my desk.