1.   Before becoming the U.S. representative to the United Nations, he dashed around the globe, freeing hostages and defusing tense political standoffs.

2.   In recent weeks, the council has been briefed on the political standoff in Madagascar and the possible renewal of civil war in Liberia.

3.   In recent years, Haiti has been paralyzed by a political standoff that has left the nation without a parliament or constitutionally appointed prime minister.

4.   Indeed, although details have been filled in, remarkably little has changed in the political standoff between the two remaining Republican presidential campaigns since then.

5.   Secondly, there is concern about the political standoff in Washington.

6.   The political standoff has all but paralyzed his already disorganized administration even as Indonesia continues to suffer from debilitating economic and social problems.

7.   The political standoff is being played out in small, tense gestures.

8.   There is a workable, bipartisan compromise bill that could end this political standoff.

9.   Ousted leader Abdurrahman Wahid vacated the presidential palace he had been refusing to leave, ending a political standoff Thursday and allowing his successor to move in.

10.   Ousted President Abdurrahman Wahid leaves palace, ending political standoff.