Of course, where the WMDs went will be a mystery. My point is that there were too many different INTEL agencies---all of which did not rely on the same sources, and some of which (Israel and Iran) completely at odds with each other---all saying the same thing. Lincoln said you can't fool all the people all the time . . . so the WMDs were there.
I am of the opinion that if Clinton said there were WMDs in Iraq, then there were no WMDs in Iraq, but leaving that aside, what do you make of the case of those who let Chalabi dupe the intelligence gathering procedures?
Well, perhaps. Lincoln said you could fool everybody once, and somebody everytime, but not everybody everytime, IIRC. Maybe the WMD question belonged to the 1st case ?
The hard part with human intelligence is that it's always tainted, either by the agents' own interests or because of prejudice, or even because of CYA procedures. I suppose most prepare three assessments of any situation, and give to their political masters whichever they feel the political leaders want to hear.
What strikes me here is that Powell really was at the forefront of the WMD story, he defended the case talons and claws, and he probably is one of the most exposed people, should the WMD story prove false. So, I'm quite impressed at the risks he takes saying "I was misled, and thus I misled you". Would he take such risks if he had no serious reason to doubt the WMD story ? I know I wouldn't.