My bet is that target was the Iraqi WMD’s that Russia helped smuggle out of Iraq and into Syria pre-invasion.
We wanted to gain control of them to make sure that they never surfaced. If they were found, GWB’s war would be justifiable. That would kill the libs to admit.
My money is on your scenario. NOTHING else would be more damaging to the Democrats and the United Nations than finding out that Bush was telling the truth.