Former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair defends Iraq War as more justified than Russian actions in Ukraine
Date
3/19/2023 8:45:03 AM
(MENAFN) Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair recently claimed that the US-led invasion of Iraq was more justified than Russia's ongoing military operation in Ukraine. In an interview with Germany's DPA and two other European news agencies, Blair argued that the invasion, in which 46,000 British troops took part, was a legitimate response to Saddam Hussein's domestic repressions and his use of chemical weapons against the Kurds.
Blair further stated that "at least you could say we were removing a despot and trying to introduce democracy." However, Blair's pre-war claims that Iraq possessed weapons of mass destruction and was working toward obtaining nuclear arms have since been proven false.
The invasion and subsequent occupation of Iraq led to the deaths of up to 210,000 civilians, according to the Iraq Body Count project. It also resulted in instability, with much of Iraq's northern reaches falling under the control of Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS) terrorists following the US pullout in 2011.
Blair's comparison of the Iraq war to Russia's military operation in Ukraine has drawn criticism, given the vastly different circumstances. Ukraine is a country with a democratically elected president who, to Blair's knowledge, has never started a regional conflict or committed any aggression against its neighbors. Meanwhile, Russia's actions in Ukraine have been condemned by many countries and international organizations, with some labeling it as an illegal annexation of territory.
Blair's defense of the Iraq war has been a source of controversy for years, with many criticizing his decision to support the US-led invasion. His recent comments are likely to reignite the debate around the conflict and his role in it.
MENAFN19032023000045012476ID1105809954
Legal Disclaimer:
MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.