Does anyone believe we haven't had contingency plans regarding Iraq since at least the Gulf War? I don't.
The official policy of the United States has been regime change in Iraq since 1998.
In 1998 Clarke himself thought al-Qaeda and Iraq were working together to develop chemical weapons.
After the tape Jim Angle dug up today, I'm surprised anyone is talking about Clarke other than to laugh at what a liar he is.
The government has always had contingency plans for dealing with attacks by Iraq, Iran, Canada, Mexico, Kiribati, and the Duchy of New Fenwick.
There are people in the bowels of State who do nothing but consider the unlikely, all day long.