The Administration's inability to argue more effectively that the stakes preclude both of these options seems to have reflected yet another error: the growing influence in its ranks of those like former Secretary of State James Baker and the bipartisan Iraq Study Group he co-chairs with former Rep. Lee Hamilton.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: Tragedy of errors

The second error is to overestimate the influence of religion on Americans' views of foreign policy.

ECONOMIST: Foreign policy

Sovereignty: The United States is making a strategic error in agreeing to negotiate its policies in a forum in which non-NATO countries can influence strongly the policy outcome.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: Center For Security Policy

In addition, CAIR officials like Hooper have been perceived as exemplary representatives of Muslims in America by many in the media - the sort of error that the Brotherhood and its ilk capitalize upon in order to legitimize their operations and further expand their influence.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: Destroying America from within

The closest thing to an error by Mr Lake's staff came when two of them were informed that China might be trying to purchase influence by contributing to Mr Clinton's campaign.

ECONOMIST: The world's most thankless job