However, Eisenhower's Pentagon briefing is still classified and thus the subject matter discussed remains speculative.

His speech appears to imply that military action is likely to follow within three weeks, based on previous Pentagon briefings.

"The operation was a success, but the patient is still in danger of dying," he said at a Pentagon briefing.

Some intelligence source received back-channel during his Pentagon briefings prior to deployment.

"There's no timetable for this," he said at a Pentagon briefing.

If they were held up for clearance, he said, the reporters could end up being scooped by their colleagues at a Pentagon briefing.

In light of the Pentagon briefing, it appeared that the first real test for the military would come when troops move out into the countryside.

"We've seen looting in this country," he said at the Pentagon briefing.

Administration officials said they had failed to anticipate the power of the Pentagon briefings over public opinion.

Even aspects of the Pentagon briefings can be part of the psychological warfare.