“Essential Listening. . . “Why the United States and the United Kingdom went to war in Iraq and its legacy. Gordon Corera, the BBC’s security correspondent, talks to those at the centre of the decision-making process.
“Essential listening. . . “Why the US and UK acted in Iraq and their legacy. Gordon Corera investigates.
Twenty years ago, a United States-led coalition invaded Iraq to overthrow Saddam Hussein. The United Kingdom is the main partner of the United States. For many, this is still a war based on lies.
Why was Washington so determined to replace the regime in Iraq?And why did British Prime Minister Tony Blair urge the United Kingdom to participate?The BBC’s security correspondent, Gordon Corera, is looking to find new answers about why the war happened and what it means.
Gordon talks to those in the middle of the story, adding some of those who make the decisions and those who suffer the consequences. Tony Blair explains his thinking and why he promised George Bush. Sir Richard Dearlove, who at the time headed the British Secret Intelligence Service (also known as Mi6), defends the role of the intelligence services. The series also hears from the head of the CIA’s Iraq operations group, weapons inspectors who were under pressure to track down Saddam’s weapons of mass destruction, and Washington insiders.
Gordon also speaks to Iraqis who have lived through the “shock and awe” bombing crusade, post-war instability and the arrival of ISIS.
The series takes a fresh look at what happened and reveals new insights into decision-making and failures. And twenty years later, it explores some of the (ongoing) legacies of the invasion.
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