Iraq Was 'Failure of Strategic Thinking', Chief of Defence Staff Tells MPs
THE GUARDIAN: Sir Jock Stirrup tells select committee that politicians did not understand the consequences of invading Iraq

Air Chief Marshal Sir Jock Stirrup, chief of the defence staff: he told MPs that invading Iraq was 'a failure of strategic thinking'. Photograph: The Guardian
British soldiers in Iraq were "dying for no strategic benefit" because Tony Blair's government did not appreciate what it was taking on when it planned the invasion, Air Chief Marshal Sir Jock Stirrup, the chief of defence staff, has told MPs.

There was a "failure of strategic thinking" in southern Iraq, he told the Commons public administration committee. Stirrup, who retires next month, was asked if the politicians appreciated what they were taking on when British forces went into southern Iraq. He replied: "No." >>> Richard Norton-Taylor | Friday, September 17, 2010