Daily Mail

President George W Bush 'feared Saddam Hussein would attempt his own version of 9/11 terror attacks', newly declassified records reveal

Guardian

Britain told US that invading Iraq could cost Blair his premiership, papers reveal

Independent

It was politically impossible to draw back from Iraq War

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Then U.S. President George W. Bush viewed the Iraq War as a religious crusade to rid the world of "evil-doers" by "God's chosen nation," according to newly released U.K. government files from the National Archives. British Ambassador Sir Christopher Meyer reported that Bush believed it was his mission to overthrow Saddam Hussein and saw the world in Manichean terms of good versus evil.

The Telegraph

Then U.S. President George W. Bush viewed the Iraq War as a religious crusade to rid the world of "evil-doers" by "God's chosen nation," according to newly released U.K. government files from the National Archives. British Ambassador Sir Christopher Meyer reported that Bush believed it was his mission to overthrow Saddam Hussein and saw the world in Manichean terms of good versus evil.

Then U.K. Prime Minister Tony Blair flew to Camp David in January 2003 to urge Bush to allow more time for diplomacy, but U.K. officials warned it had become "politically impossible" for Bush to back down from war unless Hussein surrendered. Ambassador Meyer noted that Bush's State of the Union address had closed off any room for maneuver regarding military action.

Sky News

Then U.K. Prime Minister Tony Blair flew to Camp David in January 2003 to urge Bush to allow more time for diplomacy, but U.K. officials warned it had become "politically impossible" for Bush to back down from war unless Hussein surrendered. Ambassador Meyer noted that Bush's State of the Union address had closed off any room for maneuver regarding military action.

British officials feared that Blair could be forced from office if he went to war without UN backing. Foreign Policy Adviser David Manning told U.S. National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice that "the U.S. must not promote regime change in Baghdad at the price of regime change in London."

Perspective Media

British officials feared that Blair could be forced from office if he went to war without UN backing. Foreign Policy Adviser David Manning told U.S. National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice that "the U.S. must not promote regime change in Baghdad at the price of regime change in London."

The U.S. and U.K. were becoming increasingly impatient with France and Russia's unwillingness to agree to a new UN Security Council resolution authorizing military force, as UN inspectors were unable to find evidence of Hussein's weapons of mass destruction. Both countries opposed military action while inspections continued.

The U.S. and U.K. were becoming increasingly impatient with France and Russia's unwillingness to agree to a new UN Security Council resolution authorizing military force, as UN inspectors were unable to find evidence of Hussein's weapons of mass destruction. Both countries opposed military action while inspections continued.

Bush's motivation for deposing Hussein stemmed from fears of "another catastrophic terrorist attack" on American soil, particularly one with an Iraqi connection, according to diplomatic cables. The president, described as a born-again Christian, was scornful of European reservations and believed American values should be universal values.

The i Paper

Bush's motivation for deposing Hussein stemmed from fears of "another catastrophic terrorist attack" on American soil, particularly one with an Iraqi connection, according to diplomatic cables. The president, described as a born-again Christian, was scornful of European reservations and believed American values should be universal values.

The Ministry of Defense warned that loosening Saddam's grip on power could lead to "significant levels of internecine violence" in post-invasion Iraq. This warning proved prescient, as the subsequent Chilcot inquiry found that Blair had ignored predictions about post-war chaos and sectarian conflict in Iraq.

BBC News

The Ministry of Defense warned that loosening Saddam's grip on power could lead to "significant levels of internecine violence" in post-invasion Iraq. This warning proved prescient, as the subsequent Chilcot inquiry found that Blair had ignored predictions about post-war chaos and sectarian conflict in Iraq.

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Independent #0

Tony Blair flew to Camp David in January 2003 to urge Bush to allow more time for diplomacy, but UK officials warned it had become "politically impossible" for Bush to back down from war unless Hussein surrendered. Ambassador Meyer noted that Bush's State of the Union address had closed off any room for maneuver regarding military action.</span

Sky News #

The Telegraph #

Tony Blair flew to Camp David in January 2003 to urge Bush to allow more time for diplomacy, but UK officials warned it had become "politically impossible" for Bush to back down from war unless Hussein surrendered. Ambassador Meyer noted that Bush's State of the Union address had closed off any room for maneuver regarding military action.

British officials feared Blair could be forced from office if he went to war without UN backing, with foreign policy adviser David Manning warning that a second UN resolution was "politically essential for the UK and almost certainly legally essential as well." Manning told US National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice that the US must not promote regime change in Baghdad at the price of regime change in London.</span

Guardian #2886

British officials feared Blair could be forced from office if he went to war without UN backing, with foreign policy adviser David Manning warning that a second UN resolution was "politically essential for the UK and almost certainly legally essential as well." Manning told US National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice that the US must not promote regime change in Baghdad at the price of regime change in London.

The US and UK were becoming increasingly impatient with France and Russia's unwillingness to agree to a new UN Security Council resolution authorizing military force, as UN inspectors were unable to find evidence of Hussein's weapons of mass destruction. Both countries held veto power on the Security Council and opposed military action while inspections continued.</span

Independent #

The US and UK were becoming increasingly impatient with France and Russia's unwillingness to agree to a new UN Security Council resolution authorizing military force, as UN inspectors were unable to find evidence of Hussein's weapons of mass destruction. Both countries held veto power on the Security Council and opposed military action while inspections continued.

Bush's motivation for deposing Hussein stemmed from fears of another catastrophic terrorist attack on American soil, particularly one with an Iraqi connection, according to diplomatic cables. The president, described as a born-again Christian, was scornful of European reservations and believed American values should be universal values.</span

The i Paper #

Daily Mail #3398

Bush's motivation for deposing Hussein stemmed from fears of another catastrophic terrorist attack on American soil, particularly one with an Iraqi connection, according to diplomatic cables. The president, described as a born-again Christian, was scornful of European reservations and believed American values should be universal values.

The Ministry of Defense warned that loosening Saddam's grip on power could lead to "significant levels of internecine violence" in post-invasion Iraq. This warning proved prescient, as the subsequent Chilcot inquiry found that Blair had ignored predictions about post-war chaos and sectarian conflict in Iraq.</span

The Iraq War was fundamentally about demonstrating American hegemony rather than addressing genuine security threats, with Bush officials using WMD fears as cover for a predetermined agenda. The administration deliberately misled the public about intelligence to justify a war designed to send a message to other nations about American power. This reckless approach destabilized the entire region and created lasting chaos.

The Iraq War was fundamentally about demonstrating American hegemony rather than addressing genuine security threats, with Bush officials using WMD fears as cover for a predetermined agenda. The administration deliberately misled the public about intelligence to justify a war designed to send a message to other nations about American power. This reckless approach destabilized the entire region and created lasting chaos.

Al Jazeera

Al Jazeera #

Why did Bush go to war in Iraq?

Bush Saw Iraq War as Religious Mission, UK Files Reveal

Iraq

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Bush's religious conviction and moral clarity drove necessary action against a dangerous dictator who threatened global security. The president understood that decisive leadership sometimes requires difficult choices, and his commitment to protecting America from another 9/11-style attack justified removing Hussein from power. Diplomatic efforts had failed for over a decade, making military intervention the only viable option.

Bush's religious conviction and moral clarity drove necessary action against a dangerous dictator who threatened global security. The president understood that decisive leadership sometimes requires difficult choices, and his commitment to protecting America from another 9/11-style attack justified removing Hussein from power. Diplomatic efforts had failed for over a decade, making military intervention the only viable option.

UK Files: Bush Saw Iraq War as Mission Against 'Evil-Doers'

UK Files: Bush Saw Iraq War as Religious Mission, UKAgainst Files Reveal'Evil-Doers'

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UK Files: Bush Saw Iraq War as Mission Against 'Evil-Doers'

UK Files: Bush Saw Iraq War as Religious Mission, UKAgainst Files Reveal'Evil-Doers'

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