Meaning: The quote you provided is from Ahmed Chalabi, an influential Iraqi politician who played a significant role in the lead-up to the 2003 invasion of Iraq. The quote addresses the issue of the weapons program in Iraq and the knowledge of the scientists and engineers involved in it.

In the context of the time in which Chalabi made this statement, there was international concern about Iraq's alleged possession of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and the potential threat they posed. The U.S. and its allies used the existence of WMD as a primary justification for the invasion of Iraq, which ultimately led to the overthrow of Saddam Hussein's regime.

Chalabi's statement suggests that the individuals with direct knowledge of Iraq's weapons program were not being consulted or engaged with at that time. He implies that these scientists and engineers, who were intimately involved in the development and production of weapons, would have valuable information about the whereabouts of the weapons in question.

This assertion is significant because it touches on the broader debate about the accuracy of the intelligence used to justify the invasion of Iraq. In the aftermath of the war, no substantial stockpiles of WMD were found, leading to intense scrutiny of the intelligence that had been presented to the public and the international community.

Chalabi's statement can be interpreted as an attempt to shift the focus onto the potential knowledge held by Iraqi insiders, suggesting that the failure to locate WMD was not due to their non-existence but rather to a lack of consultation with the right sources. This perspective aligns with his broader stance in support of the invasion and the overthrow of Saddam Hussein's regime.

However, Chalabi himself was a controversial figure, and his role in providing intelligence to the U.S. government prior to the invasion was highly scrutinized. Some critics accused him of providing false or misleading information in order to promote the invasion, while others defended his actions as part of a larger effort to overthrow a dictator and bring democracy to Iraq.

The quote also underscores the complex and often politicized nature of intelligence gathering and analysis, particularly in the context of international conflicts and interventions. The search for WMD in Iraq became a focal point of global attention and a source of ongoing controversy, shaping public perceptions of the war and its justifications.

In conclusion, Ahmed Chalabi's statement about the knowledge of scientists and engineers involved in Iraq's weapons program sheds light on the contentious issue of WMD and the intelligence surrounding it. It reflects the broader debate about the accuracy of the intelligence used to justify the invasion of Iraq and the complexities of intelligence gathering in the context of international conflicts. The quote serves as a reminder of the intricate interplay between politics, intelligence, and global security, and the enduring impact of these dynamics on world affairs.