Reply #59: Thanks. Noted. On one point, though, I would maintain that

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the Administration was prone to swing both ways, and while Iraq was obviously Target #1 they were following the same course into Iran at that time. The only questions were how far east and how soon would US forces complete the movement. Iran was part of the same strategic operation in 2002. That didn't change until the summer of 2003, when DoD and CIA leadership realized how completely they had been defrauded by OSP, OVP and the White House on the WMD issue.

Finally, yes, Armitage was clearly the designated point man on the outing of AQ Khan/CIA CPD and the Wilsons. I'm not saying it was his idea, but he obviously played a role, if only as a flack-catcher, but I believe he's part of the inner group of those who planned to redraw the map of the Middle East. He's certainly a key, long-time Pakistan covert specialist.