Quote:
Originally Posted by strandinthewind
Catastrophe is an understatement!
I do, though, often wonder how history would have judged W if things had gone the other way, which I submit was possible if there had been a plan (much less a better one) in place to win the peace and create a stable government. In other words, I think it is not so much the invasion of Iraq - as almost all think something had to be done there, at least according to a decade of UN resolutions. I think people fault W for the subsequent waste of Iraq and the opportunity to show the world the good that we can do. I think those last two are the reason that W will be judge harshly regarding Iraq, and deservedly so.
As for Blair, I do not see how he could not have stood with America in Iraq given the history of the two countries both in and out of Iraq. I also think he is less to blame that W for no coherent policy after the invasion as W lead the brigade so to speak. But, some fault does surely sit on Blair's shoulders - so he gets no pass there.
Is Iraq mess and his culpability there enough to outweigh all good he did? I think not, though surely it detracts from the overall picture. Others may reach a different conclusion and that is fair I guess.
Interestingly, unlike W, who has failed in everything he touched, Blair has done some good things. So, kudos to him for that I guess.
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I liked Blair... till Iraq. He definitely did many good things but then he supported a war, bypassing Onu role, backing false informations and lying to all the world. The results have been a a huge humanitarian tragedy and a rise of terrorism acts (as UK tragically experienced). Now we're seeing a Country where every week hudreds, thousands, of people die and two of the most powerful Countries in the world stuck there without any perspective to create a more stable future. If he had said no to Bush all this wouldn't have happened (I really doubt GWB would have gone there alone) and the solution would have been diplomatic, as obviously has to be now. Luckily there are still politicians like Zapatero who are able to act accordingly with their principles.
I'd say there's enough material to judge Blair not too kindly.
Romy