The strategic motivation has been a realization that, while diversification may shield a business from the ups and downs of a particular industry's business cycle, the lack of a unifying competency makes the united business units devilishly tough to manage well.

FORBES: Renovate Before You Publish

But most foreign policy observers see strategic factors at work - the realization that the Israeli-Palestinian issue needs to be addressed if Washington wants Arab support on Iraq or Iran.

NPR: Mideast Peace Meeting to Shape Rice Legacy