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For a stunning interview -- in more ways than one -- don't miss the job BBC tried to do yesterday on America's best friend in Europe, Polish senator and recent Defense Minister Radek Sikorski. (Click to this BBC story, at which right at the top you'll find the link to the interview itself.) Among its striking features: 1. Its length; some 23 plus uninterrupted minutes. Our public affairs programming never allows for such thoroughness. 2. The absolutely hostile nature of BBC's Zeinab Badawi's questioning, a pro-Putin apologist who has every anti-American talking point down cold and knows next to nothing Poland itself. And, above all, 3. Sikorski's sharp-minded, thoroughly informed, and eloquent (what American pol speaks lovelier English?) responses and skill in parrying Badawi's cheap shots without ever once losing his handsome and likable composure. His American counterparts should watch and learn how it's done.

I use "counterparts" for a reason. In one of her few lighter moments, Badawi asked Sikorski if he'll run for president in Poland. He laughed the question off. But let it be known that at National Review 50th anniversary gala a few years ago, he was introduced to former Sen. Fred Thompson as having just been elected to the Polish Senate ("My sympathies," Thompson replied), and, perhaps on a lighter note, as a future president of Poland. Thompson didn't know how to respond to that. Soon enough he should know better.

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