No one asks how this would compare to other war zones, in the near or distant past.

"Any history written about the near past would have to curry favor."

But the academy is in the near distant past.

There was no sign on the front lawn, but that did not mean they had not tried to sell in the near past.

Were there any signs of such presence in the near past?

They talk about facts that occurred in the near past and which characters can or cannot be human.

It has obviously been used by someone in the very near past.

The emphasis of the analysis lies on the near past, especially the 19th century.

"You will allow me to ask if you have eaten at any time in the near past?"

All that was in the near and distant past.