The administration has kept largely silent about its internal debates, so it's hard to know exactly who supports what, but here's a best-guess scorecard.

The Coalition Builders

Secretary of State Colin Powell: Powell, whose caution is famous, wants the administration to build the broadest possible coalition, enlisting even some rather seedy countries (Syria, Saudi Arabia) in the anti-terror fight. He wants to limit the coalition's goals to wiping out al-Qaida, and he is not fixated on toppling the Taliban. He opposes a broader war against Iraq or other terror sponsors.

Powell's position is backed by his two top aides, Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage and Assistant Secretary of State for Policy and Planning Richard Haass. Armitage and Wolfowitz have long been allies. Haass and Wolfowitz have long been at odds.

Brent Scowcroft, national security adviser during Bush I, also consults informally with top administration officials. He is believed to favor Powell's go-slow approach.

The Hawks

Wolfowitz is the administration's most public hawk. He favors toppling the Taliban, bringing the war to Iraq, and not worrying about keeping the coalition intact. Lewis "Scooter" Libby, Vice President Dick Cheney's chief of staff, also reportedly favors a more aggressive war.

Richard Perle, the conservative national security guru, former Reagan official, Wolfowitz chum, and a quasi-adviser to the administration, also favors the Wolfowitz position.

The Question Marks

Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld is thought to be sympathetic to the Wolfowitz line, but he has avoided taking sides publicly. The position of Vice President Cheney is hazy. He is very attentive to Libby's views but is also likely to be cautious. National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice has offered no clues about her views either.