I remember flying from Tuzla to Slavonski Brod in a Kiowa in 1997. We were in no particular hurry so the pilot (the usual grizzled CW4) wanted to show me around. We skimmed over the lovely countryside and, from time to time, would happen upon some once picturesque village atop a hill – the juxtaposition of breathtaking scenery with bombed-out abandoned homes was disturbing and depressing. I wish all the Slavs in that part of the world the best, but I am not hopeful…even ten years down the road.

Otherwise, love your site Wretchard…both old and new. And, whenever I get a bit cocky about my writing skills (being a career bureaucrat and all), I merely come to your Club, gaze upon your efforts and go humbly back to pushing paper around the Pentagon. You are an absolutely amazing scribe whose turn of the phrase and obscure (yet spot on) references can take my breath away. Keep up the good work and you’ll always have an audience in this corner. Excelsior.