Eternal adolscence run amouk.  The political class at the national level in the USA is incompetent, not knowing the political narratives and possessing a shallow understanding of human nature.  The USA is trapped in the era of ignorant power.

According to CNN:

"The question should be put to the CIA and the DIA (Defense Intelligence Agency) as to why this wasn't known before the false information was put into (a key intelligence estimate) sent to Congress, the president's State of the Union address and my February 5 presentation to the U.N.," Colin Powell said.

http://www.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/meast/02/17/powell.curveball.iraq/