A War to "Reshape" the Mid East

The Bush administration is tentatively expanding their rationale for going to war. They aim not only to "liberate" Iraq, but also to "reshape the Middle East in ways that enhance U.S. interests," according to Reuters.

In an appearance before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Colin Powell declared, "I think there is also the possibility that success could fundamentally reshape that region in a powerful, positive way that will enhance U.S. interests, especially if in the aftermath of such a conflict, we are also able to achieve progress on the Middle East peace."

This larger goal has been one of the subtexts to an Iraq invasion for some time, but it has not been articulated this clearly in a public forum.