Abstract

The first Bush Administration has been characterized by a deep transformation in traditional foreign policy making processes. George W. Bush, both active and prepared to delegate widely, has opted for decisions being taken by small groups of experts, within which his closest advisers have been playing a crucial role. The Vulcans constitute in particular a group of people over whom the neo-conservatives have been exerting a decisive influence in the wake of the 9/11 attacks. The National Security Council staff has within this framework lost a substantial part of its influence in favor of a kind of surrogate NSC placed under the auspices of the Vice-President. The NSC was thus in particular not able to act in its traditional capacity as a filter for information during the crucial deliberations which led up to the decision to invade Iraq.

Charles-Philippe David, Raoul-Dandurand Chair and Center for U.S. Studies Director at the Université du Québec in Montréal (UQAM).