Republicans these days are focused on the threat posed by weapons of mass destruction. But some situations are less threatening than others. Like the Nunn-Lugar process for trying to track and secure the nukes rattling around the former Soviet Union, for instance, which they just can't get excited about:

Presidential leadership in moving Nunn-Lugar forward is not only necessary abroad--it's also desperately needed in Washington, where conservative members of Congress have blocked efforts to enhance Nunn-Lugar. Indeed, even when the president has supported a new effort, such as the expansion of Nunn-Lugar beyond the former Soviet Union, the House has often been successful in beating it back. House conservatives have also placed severe constraints on the president's flexibility in implementing the Nunn-Lugar program, leading to major delays in executing important initiatives.

And the fruits of their stewardship are out there for all to witness. The London-based al-Hayat newspaper is now reporting that al-Qaeda bought suitcase nukes from the Ukraine six years ago -- a report which is not yet confirmed by other sources, but is at least being echoed by the Israeli daily Ha'aretz.

Well, maybe they did, and maybe they didn't. But look on the bright side. We can be damn sure that they won't be getting any weapons of mass destruction in the future from Saddam Hussein.

(Ha'aretz link via Hesiod).