We need an inquiry on Iraq
March 10, 2010 Ask an American audience what it knows about Britain's “Chilcot Inquiry” and chances are you will draw blank looks. That's too bad. Americans ought to be intently interested in the Chilcot Inquiry, named for its chairman, senior civil servant Sir John Chilcot, because it's likely to provide the only authoritative account they will have into the whys and wherefores of the Iraq war.
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It's absurd then, that this country has turned a blind eye to the war's origins while lesser players investigate them. An investigative news site, Consortium News, recently observed, “It's reasonable to assume that as far as the invasion of Iraq is concerned official U.S. policy is: no inquiry, no discussion of legality, no accountability.” >>>>>
Iraq inquiry - the lessons learned so far
Updated on 09 March 2010
Sir John Chilcot's Iraq inquiry now moves into its next phase, having heard evidence from civil servants, military officials and leadin politicians. Channel 4 News Iraq blogger looks at what has been learned from the inquiry's hearings.
"There's a wonderful phrase: 'the Fog of War.' What the fog of war means is: war is so complex it's beyond the ability of the human mind to comprehend all the variables. Our judgment, our understanding, are not adequate. And we kill people unnecessarily."
Strong words from any lips, stronger still when spoken by the US defence secretary who took the States through the Vietnam War and the Cuban missile crisis, Robert McNamara.
The Iraq Inquiry reached a landmark stage yesterday in its attempt to "identify the lessons that should be learned from the UK's involvement in Iraq to help future governments who may face similar situations."
If McNamara - and indeed the Inquiry's critics - were right then Chilcot's is a Sisyphean task. Even so, as the panel concludes its main open evidence session a number of the key areas they are likely to concentrate on seem clear. >>>>>
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