The Politics of Denial: Britain's Foreign Minister Downplays Iraq War Link to London Bombings

Strategic Insights -

In a scandalous display of dismissal, Britain's Foreign Minister, Jack Straw, and Prime Minister Tony Blair have insisted there is no link between the Iraq war and the recent London bombings. On the heels of a bomb attack, Londoners overwhelmingly agree that the Iraq war has contributed to the rise of terrorism. However, Straw and Blair continue to downplay the connection, claiming it is an "astonishing" notion. Defence Secretary John Reid corroborated this stance, likening it to running away from a school bully, saying that the bully will still attack.

Key Takeaways:

  • 64% of Londoners believe that the Iraq war has contributed to the rise of terrorism (as cited in a think-tank report).
  • The UK's decision to join the US in the Iraq war has been widely criticized by the public, with many blaming it for increased terrorist activity in the region.
  • The London bombings have brought attention to the UK's "riding as a pillion passenger with the US" (Britain's version of "shoulder to shoulder" support).
  • The Iraqi civil war has worsened, with Sunni Muslims targeting Shiites in a 50-degree cauldron stirred up by US involvement.
  • Politicians have made shameless lies, downplaying the connection between London bombings and the Iraq war, with some even questioning the significance of the London victims' deaths compared to the hundreds killed in Iraq.

Statistics:

  • 64% of Londoners agree that the Iraq war has contributed to the rise of terrorism (note: this percentage is based on a think-tank report, not a detailed survey).
  • 22 car bombs exploded in Baghdad alone in a single week, including 10 on a single day.
  • Over 50% of the Iraqi population is considered Sunni, and they have been predominantly targeting Shiites in the evolving civil war.

Sources:

  • Think tank report (exact author and publication date not specified in the original text)
  • Globe and Mail, "Britain's Foreign Minister Downplays Iraq War Link to London Bombings" (no publication date)
  • Iraqi civil war data and statistics from various news sources (exact dates not specified)