Meaning: The quote by Condoleezza Rice highlights the issue of unaccounted-for Scud and other ballistic missiles in Iraq, and the challenges in obtaining information about these programs since 1998. Condoleezza Rice, an American diplomat and political scientist, served as the 66th United States Secretary of State from 2005 to 2009. Her quote reflects the complex and contentious nature of Iraq's weapons programs and the difficulties in obtaining accurate information about them.

Following the Gulf War in 1991, Iraq was required to dismantle its weapons of mass destruction (WMD) programs and allow international inspectors to verify its compliance with disarmament obligations. However, concerns persisted about Iraq's concealment of WMD programs, particularly ballistic missile capabilities. This led to the implementation of various international mechanisms, including United Nations inspections and sanctions, to monitor and restrict Iraq's military capabilities.

The quote suggests that despite these efforts, there remained uncertainties surrounding Iraq's ballistic missile programs, particularly the presence of unaccounted-for Scud missiles. Scud missiles are a type of ballistic missile developed by the Soviet Union and known for their potential to carry warheads over long distances. The existence of such missiles in Iraq raised serious concerns about regional security and stability, prompting the international community to seek accurate and verifiable information about Iraq's missile programs.

The reference to "intelligence means" in the quote indicates that obtaining information about Iraq's ballistic missile programs relied heavily on intelligence gathering and analysis. This underscores the secretive nature of Iraq's military activities and the challenges in obtaining transparent and reliable data through conventional diplomatic or inspection channels. The reliance on intelligence sources suggests a level of opacity and difficulty in ascertaining the full scope and capabilities of Iraq's missile programs.

The quote also alludes to the broader issue of transparency and accountability in the context of arms control and non-proliferation efforts. The lack of "minimal information" about Iraq's missile programs since 1998 points to a fundamental challenge in verifying compliance with international agreements and in ensuring that countries adhere to their disarmament obligations. This challenge is compounded by the inherent limitations of intelligence gathering, which may not always provide a comprehensive or definitive picture of a country's military capabilities.

Overall, Condoleezza Rice's quote encapsulates the enduring complexities and uncertainties surrounding Iraq's ballistic missile programs in the late 1990s and early 2000s. It sheds light on the difficulties in obtaining accurate and actionable information about these programs, as well as the broader challenges associated with monitoring and verifying compliance with arms control agreements. The quote serves as a reminder of the intricate and multifaceted nature of international security and arms control efforts, particularly in the context of contentious and volatile regions such as Iraq.