Chilcott Enquiry

[minestrone]

I thought the major flaw in Blair's response reasoning was that the arab spring would have happened and Iraq would have fallen if he had not invaded. That is a sign of an unhinged mind.

[meridian]

True there is a government there now - but the damage was done in the time in the year or so when there wasn't a government.

Our neighbours are Iraqi, and went back to Baghdad last year for a visit to family.

There's no government to speak of; no police, no basic services such as functioning electricity (all generators). The suburbs are ruled by militia and gangs, and the civilians live in fear of them as much as Isis.

[Mordac]

Maybe that's why he's held off on resigning. He can make the apology on behalf of his party, make sure it's very clear who is at fault, and then he can resign.
If a Blairite takes over from him, it won't happen.

Funny, I was thinking exactly the same thing...

[xoggoth]

Interesting item in The Guardian:

Chilcot report into Iraq war tells how intelligence agency feared a source’s information had been lifted from Hollywood thriller featuring Nicolas Cage

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/...chilcot-report

With so many films and books to draw on why do politicians need to think up any new ideas? I though there was something a bit familiar about all the Boris Johnson/Michael Gove thing, now I remember - it was from an episode of Lord Snooty and his Pals in The Beano.

A bit more seriously, I think this article is correct in saying that the conflicts in Iraq would probably have happened anyway sooner or later. However, what the war has almost certainly done is provide a reason for extremists to blame the west and aided their recruitment.

Is Tony Blair responsible for all Iraq's bloodshed? The truth is more complicated, and less comforting

[Mordac]

Just watched Bliar squirming on the highlights, and felt slightly aroused. Oh bugger, I said that out loud, didn't I.

[MrMarkyMark]

But asked whether invading Iraq was a mistake Blair was strikingly unrepentant. “I believe we made the right decision and the world is better and safer,” he declared.

[Mordac]

But asked whether invading Iraq was a mistake Blair was strikingly unrepentant. “I believe we made the right decision and the world is better and safer,” he declared.

Weapons of Mass Dementia, anyone?

[barrydidit]

He's on Radio 4 right now pushing the same argument

[MrMarkyMark]

But asked whether invading Iraq was a mistake Blair was strikingly unrepentant. “I believe we made the right decision and the world is better and safer,” he declared.

Weapons of Mass Dementia, anyone?

I suppose in a world where you get a Middle East Peace Envoy job, on the back of it, anything is possible.

[barrydidit]

He's on Radio 4 right now pushing the same argument

Dianne Abbot is here to respond. I'm turning it off before I conclude Blair was right after all.