1.   In Iraq, signs of destruction were everywhere after the third night of the attack unleashed the most punishing strikes yet in Baghdad.

2.   In Iraq, there were signs of destruction after the third night of the attack unleashed the most punishing strikes yet in Baghdad.

3.   On the military front, U.S. warplanes carried out punishing strikes against Taliban strongholds.

4.   When Israel civilians have been targeted, Israel has responded with punishing strikes, such as attacks in Beirut last summer.

5.   Opposition to American plans for a punishing military strike on Iraq is deepening in the Arab world because of skepticism over U.S. motives.

6.   Finally, a president has been able to feel reasonably comfortable about launching punishing military strikes against terrorists.

7.   Kuwaitis want more than punishing strikes against Iraq.

8.   The chasm is likely to widen if the United States launches punishing retaliatory strikes against Afghanistan to flush out bin Laden.