Iraq Survey Group report
It's clear that the report from the Iraq Survey Group is going to change very few people's opinion on the invasion of Iraq. That the survey group found no evidence of weapons of mas destruction -- not even Blair's favourite ones that could be launched in 45 minutes - is remarkable, but old news. Outside of some of the more loopy parts of the blogosphere this has been known for over a year.Even the pro-war lobby can take some comfort from the report in that their is some evidence that Saddam wanted to resume WMD research once the sanctions were lifted, though as very few written orders were given a lot appears to be of the 'the tone was unmistakeable' kind. Furthermore much of the declining threat from Saddam can be attributed to sanctions and increasing American pressure, which of course the loopier members of the anti-war lobby opposed.
Nevertheless it seems unarguable that their was no pressing need for an invasion of Iraq, and thus more time could have been spent preparing for a war and occupation tha would have been successful. This argument will hold no sway with much of the 'pro-war left', which actually wanted an earlier invasion of Iraq than actually happened, ie one that enjoyed less planning and preparation. But it should be enough for most people.
posted by Matthew @ 10/07/2004 08:05:00 AM
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