John Bellinger, chief legal adviser to Condoleezza Rice in the State Department, has been the driving force behind the change of attitude.

ECONOMIST: International Criminal Court

But others, like John Bellinger, the current State Department legal adviser, and his predecessor, William Taft, have long urged a more measured approach.

ECONOMIST: George Bush's climb-down over the Geneva Conventions

Mr. JOHN BELLINGER (Legal Advisor, United States State Department): The ICC would not be trying Charles Taylor, they would simply be providing their facilities--their bricks and mortar--to the special court for Sierra Leone to try Charles Taylor.

NPR: Taylor War Crimes Trial Worries West Africa

It might seem unimaginable that Bush Administration officials, such as Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte and State Department Legal Advisor John Bellinger, could get away with dissembling beforea Senate committee led by a Democrat who wants to be considered a serious contender for the presidency.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: LOST runs silent, runs deep