Chapter 27 Summary and Analysis

The White House Communication Office prepares a 33-page document, "Apparatus of Lies," about Saddam's propaganda and wants Armitage to unveil it as part of a WHIG effort to counter growing antiwar sentiment. Armitage finds in the old stories no rationale for war in 2003, calls the report "bullshit," and initially refuses to touch it. When he gives in to pressure, Armitage refuses to submit a draft for "niggling and stupid suggestions," and on January 21, tells the U.S. Institute of Peace he hopes war can be avoided but is not optimistic in view of Saddam's past actions, as described in the "Apparatus of Lies."

On January 24, Franks delivers to Rumsfeld and Myers his final war plan, the 5-11-16-125 Hybrid Plan. Rumsfeld prepares a timeline for Bush on January 29. "N-Day," or Notification Day, when Bush must decide, is February 22. "C-Day," when...