Why We Went To War, Ctd.

The source for many of Colin Powell's false statements at the U.N. with respect to Saddam's biological WMDs can be traced to one very dubious Iraqi source, known as "Curveball." Brian Ross uncovers his identity here. The guy is still being protected by German intelligence. Powell was never told that the CIA regarded Curveball as "unstable, immature and unreliable". Some tried to warn about the danger. But Cheney and Rumsfeld had their way. Powell is now furious. Money quote:

Powell told ABC News he is "angry and disappointed" that he was never told the CIA had doubts about the reliability of the source. "I spent four days at CIA headquarters, and they told me they had this nailed," Powell said.

They did have it nailed. In the sense of: rigged. And Cheney must have taken particular pleasure in setting up his arch-rival, Powell, this way.