Wolfowitz to Advise on Iran's Nukes? Tell Me It Isn't So!

Arms control role for Wolfowitz

By Jane O'Brien BBC, Washington DC

Former World Bank chief Paul Wolfowitz has been appointed head of an influential panel advising the US government on arms control.

Mr Wolfowitz was ousted from the Bank last year over a scandal involving payments to his girlfriend, who was also a bank employee at the time.

He has long been a controversial figure in US and international politics.

As the Pentagon's number two after Donald Rumsfeld, he was one of the leading architects of the war in Iraq.

Sensitive issues

Mr Wolfowitz's insider status at the White House made him many enemies at home and abroad.

After a stormy two-year tenure at the World Bank, he was forced to leave because he authorised a large compensation package for his girlfriend.

His departure was further clouded by claims that he had tarnished the bank's reputation and strained relations with other countries - particularly in Europe.

His return to government comes at a time when many key figures of the Bu…