Milestones

Ten years ago: In his sharpest attack yet on the Reagan administration’s drug policies, Democratic presidential nominee Michael Dukakis criticized U.S. dealings with Panama’s military leader, Gen. Manuel Noriega, as “criminal.”

Five years ago: The United States applied limited sanctions against China and Pakistan after concluding the Chinese had sold missile technology to the Pakistanis.

One year ago: The tobacco industry agreed to an $11.3 billion settlement with the state of Florida. Dow Corning Corp. offered $2.4 billion to settle claims from more than 200,000 women with illnesses related to silicone breast implants.