Words like legal, and right, have no place in the discussion. Sadly. Britain, IMO, probably could have set a good example by NOT getting the US’s back. But they don’t bare a big chunk of responsibility for the Iraq war. The US, well it’s leaders , made the decisions that led to the fiasco. From what I have heard/ read/ seen, GWBush was kind of deceived by Chaney into thinking the war was necessary. Bush was never a competent person in any capacity in any job he ever had. He is the ultimate example of failing upward. He was basically a puppet with a recognizable name. The Republican party never intended for him to make serious decisions. Chaney was placed under him to pull the strings. He was there to ensure that the agenda of a small few could be adhered to. Chaney stood to make a ridiculous amount of money. Both on the destruction of iraq, and in rebuilding it. His companies made weapons, and also specialized in construction. Bush thought Chaney was his adviser, so he listened to him. He was convinced (with ease I imagine ) that the war was necessary. Evidence was not falsified per say, but sources that were unreliable were used to exacerbate the threat that Iraq posed. This ‘evidence’ was trickled down through the likes of Colon Powell and more. Powell would later admit, that he basically followed orders by calling the country to war over evidence he was unsure of, and regretted his role greatly. Bush as well seemed to eventually understand that he too was mislead by people he was supposed to trust. Even though I hate GW , I truly think that he believed that he was doing the right thing. His attitude seemed to shift when it was far too late. By then he was committed to one of the grandest schemes in the history of the world. To backpedal on anything he had a part in would be to admit all the wrong doing. That would not be allowed by his superiors, even if he wanted to come clean. And so it was that Chaney made his fortune much larger , while being responsible for the deaths or thousands, and the ruined lives of millions. Then he made more money rebuilding what he destroyed. Millions more went simply ‘missing.’ As cash money was given to people in charge in Iraq to help lubricate local cooperation, and to compensate civilian loses, both in life and property. But the money had little in the way of record and eventually millions were gone without any knowledge of where it even went.
No doubt that all the money moving around was part of why Britain decided to join the fight. Maybe not directly, but the US needed to have allies in this war. They wouldn’t look good if they didn’t have other countries with them. The wool was stretched across the globe, over many eyes. If the US simply went around going to war with nations without other respectable nations agreeing with them, that would have had the ‘evidence ’ more heavily scrutinized before action was taken. No doubt the leaders of the supporting nations were leaned on heavily by Washington. Favors were called in etc.
In the end, Chaney and his wealthy cohorts manipulated a situation in Iraq to their advantage. The US public was still reeling from 9/11 and was easily swayed with the ‘evidence ’ and propaganda that the administration shoved in their faces. Some Americans I’ve talked to actually believed the US mainland was in danger of eminent attack…Sheep…
Yes. All invloved governments should be probed thoroughly. Yes criminal charges or sanctions should be distributed accordingly. Yes. Those responsible should pay. Yes. Diplomacy should have been given more of a chance. But the powers that set that clock in motion will never face prosecution… I’m sure British leaders regret their countries entanglement in the situation ,but America would have gone to war no matter what. They just didn’t want to be the only one going to war because the world wouldn’t have liked it.
The people responsible for that war, and it’s snowball effects couldn’t care less about the lives they ruined . They chuckle, and enjoy unimaginable luxuries.
Fin.