Those connections would be a lot more convincing if Israel had taken the initiative. And if Iraq had existed as a functioning regional player at the time the report was written.

What I see here is a gang of American neocons sending strategy memos to an American client state, exhorting it to align itself against the American bogeyman of the day. Sort of like how the Americans periodically send memos to Japan, France and Germany about the urgent need for these countries to buy more (preferably American-made) war toys. The US also likes to tell Europe that we should be afraid of Russia. Is that because they want to help us fight Russia, or is it because they want us to help them fight Russia?

When the Americans send such memos to Japan or Europe, they are usually deposited in the circular file without further concern or discussion. Unless the Americans are lucky enough to hit upon a crazy nut like Kaczynski or Binny Yahoo (or a poodle like Bliar).

- Jake

Friends come and go. Enemies accumulate.