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Zeitgeist Checklist: Zeitgeist Hearts YouWhat Washington is talking about this week.

By Christopher BeamPosted Saturday, Feb. 17, 2007, at 6:26 AM ET

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Safer Sects
5. Last Week: 6 Weeks on List: 34 [UP ARROW]Iraq. The Iraqi government announces a major security upgrade, including an earlier curfew in Baghdad. Insurgents caught outside after 8 p.m. will be grounded, with the possibility of water-boarding. Also, Iraq temporarily closes off its borders with Syria and Iran. Sounds like a job for some explosively formed penetrators.

Splitting Hairs, Atoms
6. New This Week [UP ARROW]North Korea. Kim Jong-il tentatively agrees to close down his main nuclear reactor and readmit inspectors in exchange for oil—a deal that could take North Korea off a list of terrorist regimes and reduce the axis of evil to a mere partnership. Conservatives from Elliott Abrams to the National Review accuse Bush of putting too much faith in Dear Leader. Others start wearing "What Would Rumsfeld Do?" bracelets.

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Christopher Beam is a Slate political reporter. Follow him on Twitter.
Illustrations by Vivian Selbo.
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