To make matters worse, arguments that dissented from the rosy postwar story lines envisioned by administration hard-liners tended to be shrugged off.

For example, one person from the intelligence community recalls an administration hard-liner's urging the State Department Bureau of Intelligence and Research to state that Cuba has a biological weapons program.

Some administration hard-liners say they would prefer to put pressure on North Korea economically, politically and perhaps militarily in hopes that the government would collapse.

In the unfolding debate, administration hard-liners argue that possession of nuclear arms would enhance Iraq's sway in the region.

But administration hard-liners say that the attempted purchases confirm Mr. Hussein's persistent determination to acquire nuclear weapons and that export controls can slow but not stop that effort.

Word has gone out to conservative writers and think tanks from administration hard-liners to "keep up the pressure," a think tank policy analyst said.

His thinking reflects his close relationships with administration hard-liners like Paul D. Wolfowitz, the deputy defense secretary.

In addition Mr. Bamford suggests that the C.I.A. caved to pressure from administration hard-liners.

Secretary of State Colin L. Powell pushed hard, over the objection of administration hard-liners, to open negotiations with North Korea.