“The Joint Staff effectively stated that view [that a prospective invasion of Iraq was no longer a matter of debate] in the form of a Strategic Guidance for Combatant Commanders. In mid-October [2002] a draft of this guidance was sent out to planning officers on the staffs of the senior U.S. military commanders around the world, often called the CinCs. The message was simple: We are preparing to order that a war with Iraq be considered part of the war on terror.” [The 15th of the month used for date sorting purposes only.]
– Thomas E. Ricks, Fiasco, Page 66