"If he could ask the Americans to leave altogether he would. But he can't," Kipper said. "He's clearly an Iraqi patriot. That he was associated with the CIA -- that's who was available to help at that time. That's not because he was a puppet of the CIA, but because it was expedient and he needed help in order to do things."
And at this juncture in his political life, he is not necessarily Washington's man, said Danielle Pletka, vice president for foreign and defense policy studies at the American Enterprise Institute.
Sen. Joe Biden, left, and Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist sponsored a lunch at the Capitol in honor of Iraqi Prime Minister Ayad Allawi, center.
(Melina Mara -- The Washington Post)
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Allawi is "extremely politically savvy," she said. "I think he understands very well that the future of Iraq is largely dependent on the goodwill of the United States and that his own political future in Iraq rests on American success."
He came to Washington to say there remains much hope in Iraq. He came to assert his leadership at a time when Iraq still needs so much. And he came to Washington to offer thanks.
During his speech before a joint session of Congress, Allawi humbly and charmingly placed his hand over his heart as the members of Congress applauded him in welcome. Then, he applauded them in return.
"It's my honor to come to Congress and to thank this nation and its people for making our cause your cause, our struggle your struggle," he said.
And he pledged that the suffering of American and multinational soldiers would not be in vain.
"We are better off, you are better off and the world is better off without Saddam Hussein."
Several times, the chamber erupted in loud ovations, even a "Bravo!" was hollered out at one point.
There, on the House floor, stood Paul Wolfowitz, the deputy defense secretary, beaming at this Iraqi leader who is not Hussein. And in the Rose Garden, national security adviser Condoleezza Rice seemed to hang on Allawi's every word.
Allawi is familiar to many in Congress from his days as leader of the Iraqi National Accord, which he founded after the Gulf War, to push for Hussein's overthrow. His group developed strong ties with the CIA, and Allawi himself is reported to have been involved in covert operations against Hussein's regime.
But he started out as a Baathist, just like Hussein. Back in the 1970s, he is said to have carried a gun and acted as a Baath Party enforcer. A Baghdad-born secular Shiite, he later moved to London for his medical studies.
It was there that the horrific ax attack happened. Some observers say there is a slight limp still discernible in his gait. Although Hussein is gone, Allawi is not altogether safe. He has faced four assassination attempts since he assumed the role of prime minister of the interim government in June.
No doubt, election politics shaped his visit here -- as President Bush made clear with his not-so-veiled references in the Rose Garden to people who send "mixed messages" on Iraq.
