I think your views have been proven to be apt.
Thanks. I learned a lot from a historian of Saxony, who studied "small state diplomacy" in the age of Napoleon. Just as the little birds sit harmlessly in the mouths of crocodiles, "neutral" nations do facilitate a lot of things. We don't want many of them, but a Switzerland always comes in handy when nations look for a way out of a mess and can no longer communicate directly.
Powell plays this role. As the designated "Switzerland," when he comes out for war, at least SOME libs must stand up and take notice.