SHORT TAKES ON THE DRIFTING WRECKAGE – AT 10:51 P.M. ET:

TAKING THINGS SERIOUSLY – The British army is planning to station soldiers and surface-to-air missiles on at least one residential building near this summer's London Olympics, a sign that the Brits take the threat of a terrorist attack, including one launched by air, very seriously.  Some residents of a building selected for the missile battery are clearly upset, fearing the arrangement may make them targets of terrorists.  The missiles are part of a massive security presence to deter a tragedy.  Britain faces threats both from external sources and radical internal elements.

PALIN BACKS MOURDOCK IN INDIANA – There is probably no more symbolic figure in the Senate's Republican establishment than Richard Lugar of Indiana, who has been elected to the Senate six times, and is 80.  Now he is being challenged from the right in the GOP primary by State Treasurer Richard Mourdock, who is given a very decent chance of getting the nomination.  Palin's endorsement is Mourdock's most important thus far.  She is at odds with John McCain in this regard.  McCain has issued a vigorous endorsement of Lugar.

SAUDIS MIFFED AT EGYPT – Saudi Arabia has closed its embassy in Cairo and recalled its ambassador after anti-Saudi demonstrations erupted in the Egyptian capital.  The Egyptians are miffed because the Saudis are detaining an Egyptian human-rights lawyer on drug charges.  The diplomatic crisis between the two major Arab powers is deepening.  The two countries represent different paths.  Egypt is in major transition.  Saudi Arabia is, at least for now, an island of royalty-controlled stability.  Resentments are likely to continue.

April 28, 2012