In my several visits to Germany, I have written in admiration of that country's strenuous efforts to face its past and make amends.

Trump is in the White House, fulminating on Twitter, messing up foreign policy, mistaking critics for enemies, refusing to immediately and unequivocally condemn neo-Nazis, racists, and other assorted goons - and, in general, failing to provide the nation with a scintilla of moral leadership. This will last until it can't any longer.

Pence is the very personification of the career politician. With the exception of a few years doing talk radio and television shows, he has done nothing but run for office, winning all but the first two times.

Trump's overriding accomplishment is plain: The Republican Party can no longer be shamed.

Once Iraq becomes a nuclear power, the very decision to go to war against it would become a totally different ball game.

Humans are the big thing that cause damage in life - in war or whatever - and if I can get away from that and into a wilderness situation, I'm OK. You can more or less live on your own merit.

In a case like Iraq the UN has again shown what important role it plays as the guarantor for protecting international peace and stability in the global political structure.

Success in war and preservation of a country's social framework as a purpose at least equal in importance to welfare of individuals.