"The Pentagon as well as the allies believe there is an urgency," said one official, who asked for anonymity.

"Britain was conned into a war to disarm a phantom threat in which not even our major ally really believed."

"Our new allies," Hogan said sourly, "believe it or not, in fatigue dress."

His allies and others believe he can make the adjustment, since the job in some ways plays to what many see as his strong point.

Do the allies believe the terrorists, whoever they might be, are simply or predominantly a problem for the United States and Israel?

Even Erief's staunchest allies did not believe that story.

American foreign policy - allies believed - lacked the "perspective" and "confidence" of a great nation.

Now comes the real test for the West - whether we and our allies believe in our own values and judgment.

The Vice President and his allies clearly believed he had made strides toward new political respectability.

"And then you have the issue as to whether our allies can ever believe us when we dissemble this way," he continued.