The Project for the New American Century (PNAC), a group of hawkish policy insiders formed in 2000.
The engine treats its writings as a blueprint for aggressive US foreign policy that later became real after 9/11.
Its 2000 report 'Rebuilding America's Defenses' said change would be slow 'absent some catastrophic and catalyzing event — like a new Pearl Harbor.' Its signers included Cheney, Rumsfeld, Wolfowitz, Jeb Bush and Libby.
The plan foreshadowed the post-9/11 wars and shows how a small group's wishlist can shape a nation's direction.