What was Tony Blair's incentive? - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

Glava · 07-27-2005, 07:55 PM

When President Bush first started talking about a possible war with Iraq, most Americans supported him, and the support continued for quite a while during the war. However, only a small minority of Britons supported the UK's involvment in Iraq. So my question is this: Why did Tony Blair decide to support Bush and contribute militarily to the war? What was his incentive if most of his consituents opposed it?

Seaver · 07-27-2005, 08:16 PM

Maybe it was because the US and UK have supported each other in many wars. Maybe he hoped it'd assure his country better oil prices. Maybe he was truely afraid of the reports handed to him about the WMD's (which at the time almost EVERYONE agreed was legit). Maybe he simply believed it was the right thing to do to free the Iraqi's.

ObieX · 07-27-2005, 10:50 PM

I'm not how many people thought the WMD info was legit. In fact i can remember the inspectors returning time and time again empty, and other countries saying they didn't believe he had anything. All the US could show were satelite pictures of trucks.. which could have held anything.

I had always gotten the feeling that the UK was very reluctant when it came to Iraq. Almost forced into going just because of the relations between the US and UK. I don't think they wanted to end up like france. I'd have thought the UK would have learned it's lesson when it came to that whole region and invading of other countries with all its gone through the past few hundred years. I guess, like here in the US, learning from the past isn't an option.

ubertuber · 07-28-2005, 09:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ObieX

I'm not how many people thought the WMD info was legit. In fact i can remember the inspectors returning time and time again empty, and other countries saying they didn't believe he had anything. All the US could show were satelite pictures of trucks.. which could have held anything.

In Tony Blair's decision making calculus, it shouldn't matter how many people thought the info was legit. It matters whether HE thought the info is legit. National security isn't a matter of popular decision. Now, on the other hand, he could be wrong at that is a big deal.

Just wanted to point that out.

07-27-2005, 07:55 PM	#1 (permalink)
Glava Betitled	What was Tony Blair's incentive? When President Bush first started talking about a possible war with Iraq, most Americans supported him, and the support continued for quite a while during the war. However, only a small minority of Britons supported the UK's involvment in Iraq. So my question is this: Why did Tony Blair decide to support Bush and contribute militarily to the war? What was his incentive if most of his consituents opposed it?

07-27-2005, 10:50 PM	#3 (permalink)
ObieX Pickles Location: Shirt and Pants (NJ)	I'm not how many people thought the WMD info was legit. In fact i can remember the inspectors returning time and time again empty, and other countries saying they didn't believe he had anything. All the US could show were satelite pictures of trucks.. which could have held anything. I had always gotten the feeling that the UK was very reluctant when it came to Iraq. Almost forced into going just because of the relations between the US and UK. I don't think they wanted to end up like france. I'd have thought the UK would have learned it's lesson when it came to that whole region and invading of other countries with all its gone through the past few hundred years. I guess, like here in the US, learning from the past isn't an option. __________________ We Must Dissent.

07-27-2005, 08:16 PM	#2 (permalink)
Seaver Junkie Location: Fort Worth, TX	Maybe it was because the US and UK have supported each other in many wars. Maybe he hoped it'd assure his country better oil prices. Maybe he was truely afraid of the reports handed to him about the WMD's (which at the time almost EVERYONE agreed was legit). Maybe he simply believed it was the right thing to do to free the Iraqi's.