It remains unclear whether the focus on Iraq diverted investigators from the domestic inquiry.

It stated "The narrow focus on Resolution 1441 has diverted attention from the wider picture.

Mr. Edelen worries that a focus on redemption fees will divert attention from that goal.

But the focus on their culpability diverts attention from the causal relationship between the Pentagon's priorities and the hellish conditions that both prisoners and their captors endured.

The thinking in some quarters of the West Wing was that Bill's focus on health care would divert Americans from his economic message and muddy the political waters.

This focus on technology may divert attention from the essential emotional needs of individuals and couples seeking to have children and the emotional responses of donors.

Indeed, unfortunately, for many years the focus on the Middle East conflict has diverted attention from Israel's remarkably vibrant cultural life and its intense creative scene.

And some educators worry that the focus on technology can divert resources that need to go directly to teaching.

Fairfax is now up to 80 percent; but Daniel Domenech, the county superintendent, says that the new focus "has substantially diverted attention from a broader and richer curriculum."

Mr. Clarke said that Mr. Bush's focus on Iraq diverted him from hunting down Mr. bin Laden.