War in Ukraine: The Economist interviews Tony Blair

[@christopherflux6254]

One of the concerns I had in 2003 about the illegal invasion of Iraq was that it would undermine Western credibility to address future tyranny. I think this came true.

[@Hans.Dewitt]

All invasions are illegal lol

[@dickmojica6830]

But ukrainenis different from Iraq,, when Iraq invade Kuwait, Saudi ask for help to US to remove Iraq force in Kuwait because Saudi was next to Saddam list,, then Saddam financed the terrorist al quaeda to bring terror to the world plus Saddam self confess he is developing nuclear war the UN want to investigate but Saddam did not let investigator in and ignored several ultimatum

[@rogermartinez78]

True but at least we got rid of Saddam!

[@davethesafariplanner]

@@rogermartinez78 Do you know how many people died as a result?

[@rogermartinez78]

Between the insurgents, Iraqi soldiers and civilians about 500K.

[@SaveAmerixa]

You replaced the government in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Libya with a democracy? No! it was replaced with chaos.

[@stevenmackintosh8160]

You can lead a horse to water...

[@SaveAmerixa]

That tells you they did not want it.

[@Klopp2543]

@@stevenmackintosh8160 by cutting it's(the horses) legs?

[@svetlana7904]

Stephen you are a hero

[@erikmorales1004]

@@stevenmackintosh8160 and you can lead white mom to wear clothes eh

[@guillermotell2327]

Blair should not be interviewed by The Economist, but instead by the International Court in de Hague.

[@ariellubonja7856]

Why?

[@technobrain1461]

@@ariellubonja7856 Because he is a real war criminal.

[@planetcaravan2925]

@@ariellubonja7856 hi Tony

[@adechapman.1132]

Tony Blair created ISIS PERIOD!

[@RogueGneral]

Bore off. The only people who belong in the Hague are murderous Dictators and their enablers.

[@teodoradimova6165]

The guy who lied for chemical weapons in Iraq is a person we should listen? In what capacity?

[@arveyilleszender5809]

It blows my mind that your comment here isn't the standard thought across the board. You are 100% correct.

[@Ieatpastaday]

Yeah and turned the United kingdom into a american puppet even more then he backed George W bush crimes in the middle east did little about 7/7 damaged to British economy helped the invasion of Afghanistan and had a rebellion against him

[@GeorgeSorrow]

@@arveyilleszender5809 Most haven't got a clue! if people took the time to read Noam Chomsky What uncle Sam really wants or John Perkins Economic Hitman but they only dare to use fiction, what the public can stomach from the likes Stephen Kings in Hollywood

[@conormcandrew1646]

Tony Blair accuses another man of being detached from reality!

[@petergreen5337]

exactly.

[@georgeknox1822]

Asking a war criminal about a war criminal ??? Yes makes perfect sense.

[@ninjabluewings]

Just one thing wrong with that comment.....let me put that right....."Asking a war criminal about a HERO! intervening and stopping the Ukraine army from killing Ukrainian's" you're welcome 🤗

[@kalomboC]

Takes a war criminal to catch a war criminal 🤷🏿‍♂️

[@NoobGamer-sc9lt]

and this one of the reasons extremist has popular ground war criminals get away with their crime and in some cases a pardon like Trump who pardon war criminals in Iraq, what you think Iraqi people will do if they see this happening over and over? or the orphans in other countries who lost their loved one in westerns bombing

[@Bogna1]

@@ninjabluewings Are you feeling well?

[@tatmax4288]

@@Bogna1 western media is brainwashing weapons

[@kenmalcolm426]

'No one believes what Putin says" says Blair. Very few believe what Blair says - I say.

[@electionscompressed3914]

tbf he is so unpopular policy-wise that his best role nowadays is a soundbite generator like most former politicians.

[@daymay1066]

So say a war criminal.

[@alelectric2767]

Not just you that says.

[@FalcoStarlight]

Please don’t give this war criminal too much attention…. 🤬

[@CuriousPersonUSA]

Its amazing to me how in denial Tony Blair is about the long term effects of the Iraq war on the geopolitics of today.

[@atambwalisametana7148]

He's a sociopath. Justifying the indefensible.

[@benusmaximus3601]

He's not in denial - he takes a different view...

[@atambwalisametana7148]

@@benusmaximus3601 just like Putin has a different point of view?

[@mh-tw4kx]

@@benusmaximus3601 and so does putin

[@ichigobagus]

Yep...lots of denial n clearly he was trying hard to again rejustify the Iraqi Invasion

[@mounirattieh8122]

absolutely disgraceful he doesn’t acknowledge the war crimes in iraq

[@bigblue7091]

Because he's a Conditioned little Puppet "..

[@leekeogh214]

@@bigblue7091 Puppet to who? I personally think he is a strategist and focuses more on the longterm goal. I agree the war crimes should be acknowledged.

[@JoeyBlogs007]

He has such an evil look.

[@nayokaldou6251]

@otto Lincoln you don't seriously think they cared about democracy or Human rights in Iraq in the first place !

[@tashalorm4313]

What do you expect from this criminal?

[@awenegharrykins2040]

This guy is an absolute joke. Talking to someone who has contributed massively to instability in the middle East.

[@peterfrandsen1948]

Instead of giving him the oxygen of publicity and pretence of respectability Blair should be on trial for war crimes.

[@chandleraz5018]

Agreed! But here we are posting on his KZbin clip. Keep it real. He is an annoying creature.

[@lindapow9351]

your thumb will grow in numbers

[@Fishingadventureuk]

Not a war criminal

[@HamidRHariri]

It is interesting how totally unaware he is of his own profound hypocrisy.

[@subhendu7221]

He knows it all. He got his oil by folling the world.

[@hanzzimmer1132]

He doesn't believe that dead Iraqis are the same as dead Ukrainians

[@mykalbelle8397]

You and all your friends that invaded Iraq and Libya should be in PRISON for war crimes!

[@maxsterling9908]

The Economist interviews a real war criminal for his take on Russian war crimes. This is a great piece of journalism.

[@carolman3467]

@max After killing 1m in Iraq, he speaks about bucha ! Does he really believe we are a crowd of idiots?

[@HazeyEd1ts]

@@carolman3467 clearly you are

[@PC-lu3zf]

The Iraq war was wrong but Saddam was a monster as evil as any Putin.

[@GeorgeSorrow]

@@HazeyEd1ts No we are all different he just doesn't do jingo-ism not even if he were to get himself a free uniform !!

[@asdrubalanibal6853]

The British Prime Minister, along with the Spanish Prime Minister, that went along with the USA Invasion of Iraq, from the very beginning.

[@Rainbow-cs1xx]

A War Criminal has a Right to judge another leader, this is what the world has come to

[@foraustralia2558]

Blair is not a War Criminal .. a bad warrior yes .. Iraq was a mess

[@Rainbow-cs1xx]

Australia and USA where a mess before your Ancestors Extrimanted the Indigenous people of Australia and USA ";, you Delusional Bigot.

[@proo560]

War criminal? What would you have done given the decision he had to make?

[@Rainbow-cs1xx]

@@proo560 I wouldn't even make that Criminal decision of a war in which one Million Innocent Iraqi civilians were killed. It was a war that was based on a False pretext, During the Iran/Iraq war all the chemical weapons that Saddam Hussein had where given to him by USA, UK and Germany to be used against the Iranian troops and Saddam Hussein used them extensively against the Iranians and also the Kurds. When Iraq attacked Kuwait there was the first Gulf war and for 10years Iraq was put under very stringent Sanctions in which the Iraqi people immensely Suffered and during them 10yrs the International UN grp dismantled Iraq's Chemical arsenal, so when it was clear that Iraq hasn't got any Chemical weapons then it was Attacked by the USA and it's Allies on the False pretext that Iraq has WMD.

[@proo560]

@@Rainbow-cs1xx Saddam was an evil dictator to whom they thought had genuine WOMD - realists thought it was probably best to do something about that. Obviously, there were huge mistakes made, but that’s irrelevant to the premise of the original decision.

[@ao4514]

With respect sir, the war in Iraq and Afghanistan lost the western hemisphere the moral credibility and authority to reshape the global democracy in favour of mankind!

[@CG-or1re]

so just give up and let dictators and murderers have a free reign?

[@CG-or1re]

@Tim Loo2 no doubt a contributing factor, agreed

[@ao4514]

@@CG-or1re Just look at the state of Iraq since the invasion. Isn't it a mess ?

[@back2davinci525]

@@CG-or1re you already did and you voted for these murderers in your own country.

[@cccharlie1972]

The west made plenty of mistakes before Iraq and Afghanistan. The biggest mistake is refusing to covertly assassinate dictators. Putin needs to be put down like a rabid dog.

[@tykotate9346]

Blair makes some solid geopolitical points, but his lack of self awareness is quite startling.

[@IAm-NotHear]

care to expand on that?

[@OKEN1117]

@@IAm-NotHear Blair is still very arrogant refusing to admit his mistake to enter into tragic war in Iraq. Shame on him - a war criminal rightly accused by his own countrymen in the UK.

[@abdulq5387]

@@OKEN1117 fantastic observation

[@CJ0101]

@@abdulq5387 Obvious observation of brutal and calculated Blair to any rational person. He's speaking about himself here.

[@WIllz2GOTA]

Very true, I find him to be a very useful narcissistic

[@philipfarmer3232]

I'm an American, and I remember Tony Blair's mendacity before and during the war in Iraq, a war that cost a minium of 185,000 civilian deaths. The spectacle of Blair giving advice about foreign is straight out of Kafka.

[@issaabdulsada4267]

185k? Its over 2 million since 1991!

[@chrisschneiders6734]

I've heard much higher figures than 185 thou, take me 10 minutes to explain it all.. but at any case tony Blair dosent seem any wiser and yes a total hypocite..putin is an evil person but Blair seems to be out of his depth and ideas.

[@toke7560]

The man should be in prison for causing such damage to the world, lots of countries and people to this day are paying the price for his , well, mess in his head.

[@adechapman.1132]

Tony Blair created ISIS PERIOD!

[@patrickmccutcheon9361]

@@issaabdulsada4267 1991? That was the gulf war to get Iraq out of Kuwait of Bush I supported even by Saudi Arabia. Bush II and Blair went into Iraq in 2003.

[@mikebowman9844]

I appreciate Tony Blair‘s recommendations based on experience. But he would gain more credibility if he admitted that he and Bush diminished the West’s moral standing by invading Iraq. We could really use that moral standing now to argue with the many around the world that there is a moral equivalence between Russian and Western foreign and military policy.

[@jdocean1]

I admit that Iraq was a mistake -American.

[@trollwarlord2967]

@@jdocean1 nah most Americans still believe Iraq was necessary and there would be terror attacks if iraq didn't happen

[@paxcaucasus3874]

@@jdocean1 it is not enough just to admit it... compensation just like Germany did after WW2, plus will be very happy if Bush and Tony is trialed and hanged

[@mohammadismail9000]

typical...."its a mistake" meanwhile 2 milion dead! yes, may be russia also made a "mistake". i dnt think the west has any moral standing. they r the worst one out there

[@kamalyandluri4298]

@@jdocean1 an American, not the Government, a government body should or would never go worry about said mistakes.

[@jameswilkinson150]

Astonishing that respected media outlets like The Economist would choose to speak to someone who, to many, would be regarded as an un-punished war criminal. The audacity of Blair astonishes me, he’s an evil man in my opinion but yet, despite his dreadful acts, still regards himself as someone that the world should be hearing from!! Some politicians are shameless.

[@lw1zfog]

the WEF agenda is strong

[@athenakoios]

Complete agree with your point. I do not understand most of the comments here - are people totally brainwashed???

[@laraeclarino3012]

I agree!

[@back2davinci525]

@@athenakoios ofcourse

[@raymondsawyer8626]

I beg too differ regarding Tony Blair, he is not a war criminal in the same context as Putin ,in his time in office he had more positives than negatives, Saddam Hussein should have been deposed first time around but then he used chemical weapons on his own citizens, similar to what Assad has done in Syria with the Russians supporting him, like Tony Blair said the West needs too strengthen our military alliances and political alliances, being British I would like too see our military strengthened especially the army ,we lost a lot of regiments and integrated some losing the proud names of which were famous and held in high esteem , when you join the forces you sign on the dotted line and that could mean putting yourself into involvement of conflict

[@flyerh]

I was involved in the oil industry in the Middle East in the early 90’s.During the times of “weapons of mass destruction” and the oil embargoes of Iraq, I had very senior Arab friends in government positions and in the industry. They told me that this has nothing to do with weapons of mass destruction and everything to do with arms sales and keeping the oil price high as part of the deal for Saudi to buy British and American arms.

[@jasont2610]

I don't think you're surprising many thinking people.

[@stuartwalker8755]

Arab officials are not really authorities on the "true" motivations of the US and British governments, though.

[@henrysevern]

Who made this policy, think about it. Arab politicians would say this. The First Gulf War was about the invasion of Iraq and threat to the Saudi Arabian oil fields. Second Gulf War was because Saddam Hussain ignored the agreements after the First Gulf War and continued to make threats. Personally I think the Second Gulf War could have been avoided and Iraq just contained.

[@SK-lt1so]

So you believed the slimy, lying, murderous despots of the Middle East whose payroll you were on? Huh...

[@johnwildish2421]

this guy told the world a bag of lies ... and he is still yapping away

[@Khaledf]

*Tony is a war a criminal. Let that sink in.*

[@superbantem7522]

TB will never be able to bring himself to accepting that he was wrong to go into Iraq.

[@guillermotell2327]

Even that would not change the fact that hundred thousands of persons were killed in Iraq in the US and British led invasion. He should finally be sentenced, regardless whether or not he admit his crimes, as any other criminal.

[@SK-lt1so]

Because over throwing murderous, illegitimate, despotic tyrants is the same as attacking a free democracy. Sure Keep barking, Vlad dogs!

[@Ampel_off]

he knows well, but he would never admit. Most other people wouldn't either, unfortunately.

[@24567442]

Coercion from america. Into it up to our necks. Fobs and main bases under seige. The spring that followed one of the worst terrorist regimes we have had to fight

[@peterharvy8643]

Watch the movie.or utube it.....THE DOUBLE...

[@neilisagum7623]

Best man to talk about Ukraine, only a war criminal like him can discuss this from a personal experience point of view.

[@appletree6741]

🤣 sad but true

[@mijnschatvita]

hahahaha

[@paulcatlin933]

“ I was getting reports that he was accumulating massive personal wealth.” The absence of self-awareness and irony is quite frankly, shameful.

[@stuartwalker8755]

Not really, Tony Blair didn't do what Putin did re wealth accumulation and theft.

[@marktilley7222]

Especially when a significant amount of that money was being invested in London. Read Butler to the World: The Book the Oligarchs Don’t Want You to Read - How Britain Helps the World's Worst People Launder Money, Commit Crimes, and Get Away with Anything by Oliver Bullough

[@dixonpinfold2582]

I think his face and voice as he says that do in fact betray the awareness you speak about.

[@Locutus]

That's not irony. 🤦🏼‍♂️

[@vikitu4793]

@@nickelchlorine2753 You are also estimated by some to be a witch. Prove them wrong

[@FinarfinNoldorin]

To me, it is not just important to the West, but for justice in the world internationally. Civilians should be safe and protected from harm no matter where they live.

[@bron-sconcess.10]

I hope you're for peace, not armies. Yes, no one has the right to oppress others.

[@FinarfinNoldorin]

@@bron-sconcess.10 I love all people of all nations, and am very much for peace globally. Killing others needs to stop, and other methods of solutions are possible.

[@MemoTea]

Yes, Blair and Bush undermined the west's moral stance regarding Iraq. But let's not forget that the second chechen war, orchestrated by Putin himself, already had happened before Iraq. So the man was already who he is today.

[@casteretpollux]

You do know that the US was behind Chechen terror, don't you?

[@hmmcinerney]

Putin is using western ‘morals’ against them. Hard to take the high road when 1.2 million Iraqis died in an ‘oops’ war.

[@back2davinci525]

Moral*

[@harryflashman3141]

I always thought there was a tacit agreement between Russia and the west. You keep quiet about our illegal invasion of Iraq and we will keep quiet about your illegal war in Chechnya.

[@sly6429]

@@harryflashman3141 It wasn’t illegal Chechnya was officially part of Russia Lol.

[@zuzemoyo7696]

Western leaders's sense of entitlement is mind blowing. 😛

[@tashalorm4313]

It has been more than 500 years they are acting that way...to them it is a second nature.

[@gognub]

50 cents have been deposited into your account

[@matt8989a]

Wumao detected

[@petergreen5337]

absolutely, and people in the Global south are getting more and tired of this NONSENSE.

[@dantetomic7049]

One of my concerns that I had after the invasion of Iraq ( which was by the way a illegal invasion ) was that other countries such as Russia would use it as an excuse to invade countries themselves for what ever reason. Russia is actually right now using more or less the same excuse that the Anglo-American alliance used during their invasion of Iraq.

[@antonzaika255]

If there were no Iraq, Russia would use Serbia as an excuse. If not Serbia, then Vietnam and all the way to native americans. Don't fool yourself. Russia doesnt need excuses. Their only excuse is nuclear arsenal and fear of West to get into war.

[@colinrich3226]

exactly. Iraq left millions dead. Afghanistan as a country had nothing to do with 9/11. The terrorist who committed the crime died in the act, the US and allies response was wholesale slaughter of mostly innocents just going about their lives. we showed Putin how. we need to stop our own agressions. That said, We have to face Putin now. we made him, we must defeat him.

[@colinrich3226]

my worry now is that the head of the US is basically senile and constantly distracted, or seems to be too old for the post he holds. The last time the US stood up to Russia risking a full scale nuclear war, was Kennedy's presidency. Comparing the two, you can understand Putin's timing

[@dessearth]

With the small difference that Russia's excuse to 'invade' Ukraine is based on FACTS, instead of lies like Irak's invasion

[@colinrich3226]

@@dessearth what facts? Nazis? Why the doubt over it being an invasion? Putin is slaughtering all in his way, and threatening the West against any inteference. Are you a Russian troll?

[@leel9186]

One War criminal's insight on another; is very fascinating.

[@aaabbb-py5xd]

What war criminal, theres no such thing in the "free world"

[@Maxyy40]

Did he really just say we should have stayed in Afghanistan for an even longer period of time?

[@joecater894]

yes... but that is poss the case.. we had it so afghan military was taking the slack... they would have carried on.. with a few thousand western troops and little support. Problem is.. Afghan is a US/NATO project.. but having it fail on the world stage.. it just emboldened our adversaries... hence you see this little problem. If ukr rolled over then you'd see it start in the pacific next, quite likely. Luckily, Ukr is totaly different to the afghan army.

[@markbracegirdle7110]

Most experts agree with him. But not you, obviously.

[@ismailah4576]

@@markbracegirdle7110 because they make money off the war.

[@jerrymiller9039]

Prior to bidens bungled bug out we went 18 months without an American death. He drew down our numbers but kept capability to support the nontaliban government and maintain intelligence and ability to launch raids

[@deborahbrick8679]

Blair is right and BIDEN is the biggest bafoon to ever sit in office...it's embarrassing to see him do NOTHING about those poor Ukrainians...

[@MariaNI-yf1bz]

Yeah sure Tony, we will believe you this time. The world hasnt forgotten what you have done hypocrite

[@carolman3467]

Tony Blair has the talent to naturally lie with a smile

[@xhogun8578]

He's the definition of smarmy

[@riadanabtawi5880]

And what a stinky talent he has. !!!

[@nicholasgigaba2779]

That's wht i call a professional lier

[@iaindennis3321]

The world would be a safer place if this man had never been PM

[@DanielWilkie-dg4kp]

@iandennis If it weren't for him there would no minimum wage, no peace in Northern Ireland, no constitutional reforms on devolution, nothing if didn't came PM. You far-left champagne socialists like to cry about everything else, only being oblivious to your own self hypocrisy.

[@riadanabtawi5880]

Tony Blair and Iraq war image will never be erased. His explanation that his war involvement to wage a war against Iraq was for democracy is b.s. It's up to the Iraqis to decide that. Flip the coin, and see if another country attacking England for a regime change, and see if he likes that.

[@jasonmadelin3633]

I wish they would, LOL.

[@riadanabtawi5880]

@@jasonmadelin3633 T.B was nothing but George Bush's little poodle.

[@Massivehero1]

I think if they were ruled under an authoritarian dictatorship and a regime change gave them an opportunity to have some say in how the country is governed through a democratic process then they might like it.

[@riadanabtawi5880]

@@Massivehero1 You're trying to simplify it by using the word "opportunity" rather than a "devastating & destructive war" which what happened in Iraq.

[@googlemademedoit806]

@@riadanabtawi5880 You trying to hairsplit someone's use of the term opportunity while you said "It's up to the Iraqis to decide that." how would they have done that under Saddam? The point of a dictator is they decide everything. There is no input by the people. I hate when people try to reframe the clearly stated goals to remove Saddam as one, to one that was specifically against Iraqis. Wild.

[@mauriciomercado8492]

How come she doesn't ask him about all the children killed by UK and us in Iraq ??

[@arveyilleszender5809]

EXACTLY. I agree with you 100% Mauricio. I would go further, and argue he should be in prison.

[@ExiledGypsy]

Blair keeps defending himself instead of admitting that Iraq was a mess but that should have made the west to do better rather than retreat. He is still talking like a politician and making things up.

[@theeconomists2138]

🤍🤍ᴡʀɪᴛᴇ🤍🤍ᴍᴇ🤍🤍ᴏɴ🤍🤍ωнατѕαρρ🤍🤍➕𝟏𝟐𝟎𝟖𝟓𝟓𝟕𝟑𝟒𝟖𝟒👍

[@shayk4791]

I agree. Contrast this with McNamera who admitted he was wrong and tried to warn us about getting into neverending conflicts

[@yengsabio5315]

Hear, hear!

[@RodinThink28]

He just goes on to prove that anyone can be wrong, no matter how high they are or the intelligence surrounding them

[@mkadi70]

Blair turning on his own buddy! Remember, Bush? Blair's friend? "I looked him in the eye and I feel I can trust him" at a time of reports regarding Grozny and the Chechen war?

[@danielqmul]

To be fair Russia was facing at the time an Islamic state type entity in Chechenia. After what I saw with the backing Islamist groups In Syria by some Nato members and asociated allies, I do wonder was Nato funding the Islamist terror in Chechenia

[@rrickarr]

Actually George Bush said, "I looked into his eyes and saw a man of peace." So, George W. is just as much a part of the problem.

[@yoyo12121]

Tony is killer and criminal

[@alhassangangu4357]

“We could have helped the country “ After 20 years? Give me a break

[@nourrhadbane9671]

The country did not need your help

[@petergreen5337]

imagine that !!! And the Taliban is STILL there and in POWER.

[@bobogogo4611]

The last thing world needs is to hear from this war criminal -- Blair ‼️

[@petermanley7525]

Well said. The whole thing is part of Straub’s plan. Putin, Blair and the Economist are all Straub’s puppets.

[@albertoforesti799]

How he could dare to talk after WMD lie and destroying a country like Iraq. His hands are full of civilian blood

[@whatsupduckk]

Asking Tony Blair about Ukraine is like consulting Satan on the next coming of antichrist.

[@pininfarinarossa8112]

😁 consulting Satan on the next coming of the Christ

[@captainmako9847]

😂😂 totally

[@mahmudulhasan6462]

I appreciate the interviewer,These type of interview more & more should be arranged. You’ve got to understand others narrative, others perception

[@chrism415]

"You’ve got to understand others narrative, others perception." - Which Blair never did, of course.

[@jul9832]

I missed the part where he talked about all the things that led up to this conflict. But yeah narrative.. definitely

[@joannabusinessaccount7293]

The interviewer is very striking looking. I love her demeanors.

[@Anonymous-pm7jf]

Mahmudul, you sound terribly ignorant of the world. Perhaps you should look at the actions of individuals and less of what they are saying. Tony Blair's is a war criminal and you want to sit and listen to him like to your face?

[@Rj-xl8ei]

Theres no way your a real person😄

[@陈栩-z7z]

Come on Tony, admit it that u and Bush made a huge mistake to attack Iraq.

[@WolfgangVonKempelen838]

Crimes you mean? Not "mistakes" !

[@陈栩-z7z]

@@WolfgangVonKempelen838 No, it is a strategic mistake, not a crime. To commit a crime, you must have vicious intentions and probably expect some rewards from the actions. Neither can be applied to the Iraq war.

[@arveyilleszender5809]

'mistakes'? Blatant genocide.

[@Khaledf]

*"Thank you" Economist!* *After all who could be better than a war criminal to talk about another war criminal? We need to know their mentality from their mouthes!*

[@Ed-qt6mj]

*Well Said, Blair's Out So Stay Out.*

[@danielbliss1988]

The problem with Blair is even when he gets the moment right, as he does here, he doesn't consider the hand that's been dealt or his role in it even if he's honest enough to admit he didn't foresee it. Western policy to Russia was on life support the moment Bush senior refused to help the Soviet Union/Russia track down oligarchs and foreign bank accounts or stabilize Russian finances. Yeltsin's dispute with the Russian Parliament over the central bank, which ended with Yeltsin firing on the parliament with tanks and grossly over-centralizing the Russian presidency, was covered by Clinton, and completed the process of creating an environment favorable for a dictatorship to form. Blair's own monumental failures with Iraq in conjunction with Bush junior then weakened the west's capacity to contain Russia, and created much of the distortion in US politics that has enabled fascism to emerge here. So we've been playing catchup on this issue for 20 years. It's hardly surprising we're working from a weak baseline. Remarkable in a way we've done as well as we have, but here again Blair doesn't consider the long game component of the assets -- Ukraine's own self-help since 2014 in reducing corruption, and the steady assistance to Ukraine, especially from the US, in restructuring its military over the past eight years, spearheaded by Obama and Biden, and surviving on Congressional life-support even through the administration of Trump who of course tried to extort the Ukrainian president and was impeached for it.

[@truequan]

Replying with the hope that others will read your comment.

[@Humanaut.]

@@truequan I read it - just not sure what to make of the assessment. Also: trump wasn't impeached. [Edit] Correction: He was impeached two times but acquitted two times by the Senate. Especially the second time was more of a political game since it was sure not to have any consequences whatsoever taking place just one week before his term ended.

[@junglecat_rant]

@@Humanaut. Yes, he was. By Congress. It just wasn't confirmed by the Senate. In the long term the GOP will suffer for their non-action by this highly partisan decision.

[@mulhollanddriven4520]

@@Humanaut. Trump was impeached twice.

[@johnhernan9238]

fairly much agree with what is mentioned - have to agree with Blair on this, if we take a step back this war was coming, the seeds were planted over 20 years of blinkered geo strategic policies in Europe. I know many will find this far fetched but the solution/strategy long term has to be a revaluation of géo strategic relationship with China. Divorcing ourselves or alienating China will only provoke more Ukraine like scenarii. unfortunately, there is no quick and easy solution in current Ukraine invasion. Coincidence would have i am reading some Lee Kuan Yew and the vision of statemanship, strategic relationships and long term historical perspective in decision making needs to be adopted in Europe - our political culture is too often defined in terms of time in office, elections, provoking fundamental errors & issues (of course long term perspective also have a habit of creating autocrats….)

[@markward3981]

Iraq was no threat to the U.S. A million people were killed during that "operation" , if you add all of the "operations" perhaps more. The people didn't support the west being in Iraq nor Afghanistan that why the U.S lost , abandoned the effort and fled. Afghanistan was not a direct threat neither.

[@GerLeahy]

Succinctly put. Very nice

[@arveyilleszender5809]

Correct Mark. The amount of Iraqi's that died is UTTERLY DISGUSTING. Blair should be in prison.

[@markward3981]

@@arveyilleszender5809 Another note U.N was against the "Operation" in Iraq, as they termed it so we're some western allies but U.S, with U.K and N.A.T.O obeying like a lap dog invaded anyway.

[@matiasbarth5121]

Is he ignoring the obvious double standards used in his Iraq/Afghanistan rationale? What about the many tyrants supported - then and now - by the West (hi, Saudis!)?

[@clemensgruber7278]

Man, I could listen to him talking in this video only for 5 minutes. It makes me so aggressive.

[@peterthomason6088]

Why is Blair even being asked his opinion? I wouldnt trust the man to tell me what he though of the weather

[@Londonfogey]

He's miffed that nobody listened to his 'advice' about making life difficult for the unvaccinated during Covid, so he's latched on to another cause. Somebody please nail his coffin lid shut!

[@JD-fr7rm]

honestly - Tony you are not the one to judge on this, you had your chance and blew it in spectacular style.

[@bron-sconcess.10]

I think you'll find it was no easy bag, but yes, one critical mistake, obliterated a mountain of successes. We care who lives and dies. War is not always the answer.

[@Petal4822]

Why doesn’t Tony Blair give it a rest? Someone needs to put him out to pasture.

[@j0o235]

Tony Blair the man who betrayed his own conscience in the war against Iraq..

[@WolfgangVonKempelen838]

Mr Vain

[@achimwokeschtla7582]

The reason why China and Russia have long term strategies and the western democratic countries don’t, is because democratic leaders are basically concerned with their next election and all their actions and policies are about that where dictators don’t have to worry about elections.

[@dolphin069]

Kind of. Deep state remains more of less unchanged until recently.

[@achimwokeschtla7582]

@@dolphin069: There is no deep state! 🤦🏻‍♂️🤦🏻‍♂️🤦🏻‍♂️ There is no secret long term plan! There is only a world full of egos trying their best to get the bigger piece of the pie instead of just sharing it.

[@dolphin069]

@@achimwokeschtla7582 not all egos are equal.

[@ozmanfidaar6311]

There is bigger systemic problem than election cycles. Western governments are broke and nearly all the resources is owned and operated by muntinational corporations that have their multinational agenda. China uses its huge government owned corporations to fund and extend its influence across the world, the West can't compete with this and it is far more effective than using military power, not to mention cheaper.

[@ociiu]

Have to add: Democracy has to find the next victims to blame so they could run an election by making things look worse than their own mistakes. Fact.

[@trotfi9505]

Makes sense to interview one war criminal on the subject of another war criminal, on the basis that it takes one to know one.

[@nikolaspasojevic5247]

The Economist interviews "a war criminal that has avoided trial and any repercussions for his disastrous actions".

[@WolfgangVonKempelen838]

Spot on

[@arveyilleszender5809]

Agreed.

[@myfavanimated3518]

listening to this man who was a former British prime minister would entail us the line of thinking of the west making enemy out of Putin and Russia...

[@raje8812]

"Not to see this from 'Western' point of view" is the most important piece of advice.

[@view1st]

The empire of fascists.

[@andybraid4263]

The west is sick of being world police and they shouldn't have to. Quit killing each other and threatening peace with extremism. We need a UN that works.

[@harrybrown3657]

The only side to see this from is the Western free world. Ukrainians are being murdered and driven from their country. Putin says it's 'necessary cleansing' Who can share that evil point of view?

[@fanfeck2844]

@@view1st putin is the very definition of a fascist

[@petergreen5337]

precisely, a lesson western leaders only learn AFTER LEAVING office.

[@garagenigel]

While Blair was prime minister and was pushing for the invasion of Iraq, His party was actually dead against it and he only got it voted through parliament due to the Tories! Let that sink in!

[@danielbanbury378]

Though I think it is absolutely important to remember the Tories backed it and there was a Labour rebellion it's important to remember 254 Labour MP's voted in favour and 84 Labour MP's voted against

[@paulmorgan8254]

I didn't watch the video but I really think you found an expert to talk to about a war criminal invading a country without a UN mandate, as they say takes one to know one. If you wanted anyone to take your comic seriously this is the last person the people of the UK would want to listen to. Remember this was a 'guy' with a big grin on his face whilst he was talking about the deaths and atrocities in the Baltic's when he visited the conflict area.

[@Voimandiimon]

You should watch it, it was funny watching Blair squirm at the mention of Iraq.

[@chrism415]

Hardly surprising He's an out-and-out psychopath.

[@mograzpip]

May be a trial run should be done at prosecuting Mr Blair as a War Criminal as a deterrent to other Western leaders that they to can be prosecuted and their is no double standards between a democratic and a autocratic leader when it comes to war crimes. The Mr Bush should be prosecuted and then Mr Putin.

[@annviolet4727]

Tony Blair. Such fine English speaking... for war criminal!

[@eduard7624]

Glory to Ukraine

[@a.f.w.froschkonig2978]

Let them have glory but not my money

[@SquizzMe]

@@a.f.w.froschkonig2978 Then go petition your government. Go use your precious democracy.

[@donjonjr1]

@@a.f.w.froschkonig2978 the west's money is a cheap price to pay for defending democracy against Russia. Do your country a favor and donate your precious $$$ princess

[@dagmarvandoren9364]

How about master Zelensky....

[@GreoGreo]

Glory to Russia

[@angelochecklight6916]

I met Blair in Damascus, Syria when he arrived there to meet with Bashar Asad. He left a miserable impression and as the time proved it wasn't a mistake. This interview proved that again. Blair passed away from political scene forever and Putin is still an important politician

[@golangismyjam]

Because Blair didn't change the law and make himself a dictator........

[@crowdog56]

... and Putin is still an even more murderous dictator. Fixed it for you.

[@teddybearroosevelt1847]

Why aren’t we seeing the other reply?

[@chrisschneiders6734]

Important politican? A murderous self absorbed failure more like it!!!.

[@richp.1234]

You okay there Vlad? Slava Ukraine!

[@hopeforbetter382]

The wake up call should have started with Gerhard Schröder being Putin’s best friend!

[@davidjgill4902]

That is so true.

[@anffyddiaeth]

Agreed. Ain't retrospect insightful?!

[@toby9999]

Hindsight is great.

[@markov1917]

Don't forget Angela Merkel. She was literally a comrade of Putin.

[@WolfgangVonKempelen838]

And/or the Tories filling their coffers with Russian oligarchs money closely related to Putin buying English/British news papers and football clubs ?

[@mollydixon4695]

Tony Blair just loves himself, and is looking for the limelight

[@tinaforbes1059]

Tony B-liar, the war monger. Don't mention the WMD .

[@patrickdurnion4548]

Tony Blair is a warmonger like putin, selfish man with a rather large ego.

[@peterrichardson9248]

It was never sensible to ignore Russia for the last 15 years but the West did just that. When Putin started to consider Stalin was a great leader that was the wake up call for Western leaders to seriously engage with him but they just ignored it. This terrible Ukraine war is the result. The West has to proactively manage relations with Russia and China and not ignore and them or worse constantly criticise them with no engagement.

[@oo--7714]

So going back to regime change like in Arab states like Libya?

[@ibmtpx24]

What are you proposing the western to do if we dialed back 15 yrs? I am curious. Sounds like you want to put Russia in its place while they have more nuclear deterrent than any countries in the world.

[@Bogna1]

They should develop proper native production instead of making everything of China.

[@funahead6351]

But Stalin was really a great leader and Putin. The West and US have strange political course. They think people from another country pray for them and wont to be with them. But NO! We don't like. Russia is the best country! Come here and u change your mind

[@Bogna1]

@@funahead6351 great leader that let million people starved to death. You don't know history at all. Russia is such great country that 50 percent people in small town and villages don't have loo and bathroom in their house. Young russian women are willing to find American husband. Great leaders care about economic development of their countries, not just for boosting their ego buying luxury yachts and investing millions in different countries.

[@p0ppyfarr95]

Even though I never agreed wit him going along the “weapons of mass destruction” lies with invading Iraq, Tony Blair is not afraid to call out Vladimir Putin for what he’s done and that is something I agree wit.

[@denuncimesmo2568]

for him the west is united states, canada, everything below is seen as colonies, not as partners, not as sovereign states, which could help. They prefer to leave countries like Cuba in poverty with blockades, to control the policies of countries like Venezuela and Brazil. If it depends on a policy of strengthening its partners in the West, the United States should start by adopting a less colonialist policy.

[@tashalorm4313]

You got that right.

[@yoyo12121]

The criminal and the killer Tony should be punish.

[@tashalorm4313]

@@yoyo12121 Ha ha! That will be the day...those international mafia will never judge him. Their motto, "Do as I say not as I do."

[@DeltaAssaultGaming]

Russian bot

[@louloupage11]

Wow he really doesn’t want to talk about Iraq. Everything he says do the opposite.

[@forestdecember9661]

Thank you, Mr. Blair. Russia deserves to be completely defeated. Ukraine must get all the help they need.

[@StoutProper]

Yes let’s start a nuclear war

[@MsShrikester]

what if it's a difficult task and many Ukrainian people will die? who is responsible?

[@tijanimoncef5314]

The west will resist until the last ukrainian and Ukraine will be devastated

[@jamescameron1861]

If memory serves... The Dodgy Dossier... We've never forgotten. I seem to recall that a friend, when he (peacefully) marched in London, felt it was one of the best things he'd done. Tony, you will not be remembered fondly.

[@petergreen5337]

well said.

[@brianbrecknock9625]

He is responsible, partly for this, with the expansion of nato, the meddling in other peoples politics and going along with foolish Ideas..The idea that the USA who are on the cusp of a Internal political stalemate- at best -makes it unlikely that things can be turned round. Russia should have been, more, ice creamed into west, Instead of the growing and rabid, hostility to it's financial re-emergence. USA EU do business with and have set up Regimes that are worse than Russia. -Statesman and Diplomacy Died in 1991.- I did notice his repeated,repeated,repeatedly call to Ramp up our Military spending...Who benefits?

[@mikem9695]

If you didn't know his disastrous track record you might be impressed by his analysis. I'm not!

[@paulgriffin2872]

The question here is, Is the west in decline? The answer maybe, considering a lot of the worlds population dont even live in a democracy it could be seen that it is. What ever your view of Tony Blair he is correct that the west needs the right strategy to deal with Russia and China otherwise there could be big problems ahead, let's hope the current leaders do a better job than Bush and Blair did in Iraq and Afghanistan.

[@jcd776]

The Global South needs a strategy to save Gaia from the West's Empire of Lies.

[@tonyclayton6975]

I agree with Yanis Varoufakis that we are now in phase of techno feudalism, where democracy has largely become an irrelevant side show. This is no more evident than in the US where the is essentially a one party state of two colours that represents only the interests of billionaire donors and giant monopolies. The West is in decline because of these Davos types who have zero interest in freedom and democracy, other than their freedom to exploit on a global scale. It is this neoliberal economic system, pushed and militarily enforced by US empire that has plunged the West into terminal decline. If not for China propping up the global economy the situation would be far worse than it already is. China is not the problem, we deluded Western citizens is. We have the illusion of wealth, freedom and democracy while it is being quietly taken away from us bit by bit by our own governments that have been increasingly captured by big business. We have all gone to sleep politically.

[@funahead6351]

I think US wonts to see Russia in weak position, while they don't change it, we will have that situation, because Russia is the best country in the world

[@djtechnique]

Asking one war criminal about another war criminal 🤷🏻‍♂️🤷🏻‍♂️🤷🏻‍♂️🤷🏻‍♂️

[@brittaharrendorf5207]

Why do we still have to talk to this man? He really should be considered a traitor to his country. I agree. I want Putin to lose. And if Putin loves his country as much as he says he does, he should step down , leave and not come back. But for Blair to give his views is really disgusting. He had NO RIGHT to lie to the British people. That was beyond partygate!!!!!!

[@winstonfox4457]

Can’t take notice of him. Always knows everything afterwards. Pratt!

[@elliotcampbelton1236]

Where is the long form version of this Interview @TheEconomist ? I hate to say it but this has been cut together badly. I feel i am not getting a representative view of his position (owing to how its been cut)

[@richardhartley4488]

Surely The Economist has moved far beyond this charlatan?

[@ericyuan6055]

Are the politicians real care about the people of Ukraine?

[@MrIlya494]

Politicians never care. It's just this time white people nearby are bombed. Middle East, South America and Africa can be invaded by West any time and no one cares

[@bluecanary9417]

Putin: “Ukrainians are our brothers” Also Putin: Gives orders to level cities and commit atrocities and war crimes in Ukraine.

[@stop8435]

Politicians only care about greed and power.

[@Salem-no8hc]

Asking Blair about this and listing to his lack of self awareness shows me how much the west loves to lecture the world and not fix their own faults.

[@sunsetlights100]

Tony Blair ...WMD man!

[@meowco1939]

I am impressed how confident Western politicians talk about somebody's atrocities meanwhile crimes in Iraq like tortures in Abu Grabe are still waiting to be investigated and condemned. Do you wanna stop the war in Ukraine? So, do this! Be an arbitrary, offer negotiations. But you don't do it, this is out of your interest.

[@THIS---GUY]

How does a war criminal feel about war crimes? Fascinating. Iran Indonesia Vietnam Korea Cambodia Laos Yugoslavia Afghanistan Iraq Libya Syria Somalia Yemen Nobody world wide was calling for sanctions or begging for arming defending factions when western governments were reaponsible for literally millions of civilians, many killed indiscriminately, in those countries.

[@crankyrebate8161]

YES 👍

[@user-fk9md2il4d]

He helped Yugoslavia. The Serbians were killinf thousands of Albanians, Bosnians and Croatians. Today these nations are peaceful and more prosepeous and great Tourism destinations. So why are you using Yugoslavia?? Korea, the Southern part which the West defended is the rich part and North Korea is a terrible place. Stop generalising you anti west communist.

[@THIS---GUY]

@@user-fk9md2il4d hilarious you paint someone anti war as anti western communist. You're a drone 🤡

[@ignetiusrapelwana2208]

Probably the funniest interview of the century.

[@idleishde6124]

True, but a broken clock is right twice a day. The messenger is a blood covered murderer. But the message isn't entirely wrong. Blair is obsessed but he's also smart. Sadly he's also happy to sacrifice the innocent. Both he and Putin need to imprisoned for war crimes. But he's not wrong that the West needs to challenge China and Russia on the global stage unless we want to allow them to dominate and crush Democracy in the West.

[@WolfgangVonKempelen838]

I am not laughing

[@ignetiusrapelwana2208]

@@idleishde6124 BUTTISM is what u advocate for.

[@Rubylove48]

Interviewing a war criminal about war crimes. The ultimate irony award goes to them Economist’. Bravo.

[@proo560]

‘War criminal’ - this dire tripe still rolls on. I’d love to know what anyone would have done different giving the decision he had to make? ps- most of these people are now the ones who are so adamant we should be doing a lot more in Ukraine - explain that to me?

[@Rubylove48]

your comment must be satire.

[@proo560]

@@Rubylove48 On the contrary

[@charbakadhikary8040]

so for the economist this guy is not a war criminal ..journalism of highest order

[@johnno2377]

The man has made so many mistakes it is unbelievable but despite my opinion I find myself in agreement with 90% of what he said in this interview.

[@catsincredulous9998]

Fool. It's all theater.

[@andrewbyrne5168]

Tony Blair is a classic Psychopath. He is capable of convincing you that all he does is right. The more you listen to him the more he tailors his story to make it appear right, classic

[@dandearborn727]

Very fine interview. Putin's bubble during conflict is nothing new in history. In fact I would say that the current world allows a better access to outside opinions should leaders choose to access them. I think Putin chooses not to. What worries me most, from a liberal democracy point of view, is that the general population of the western world is losing it's societal memory of the lessons of WW2 leaving the door open to populist politicians who capitalize on a generally uneducated electorate. Perhaps autocracies would say - "Do you see the problem?".

[@Padrino7272]

It is the so called liberal democracy who got us in the situation we are in now. Labeling with populism the right decision makers is as false as asking Tony Blair for advice about what evil means.

[@313colombia]

Olo

[@alanmai2590]

western brain wash

[@petrjanec6961]

Excellent interview thank you.

[@theeconomists2138]

🤍🤍ᴡʀɪᴛᴇ🤍ᴍᴇ🤍🤍ᴏɴ🤍🤍ωнατѕαρρ🤍🤍➕𝟏𝟐𝟎𝟖𝟓𝟓𝟕𝟑𝟒𝟖𝟒👍

[@Rj-xl8ei]

💩

[@funahead6351]

🤢🤮

[@thisandthat1265]

Not interested in anything this man has to say. He was 20 years ago

[@DS-ll5fn]

Tony Blair: ”the wake up call has been going on for a long time..” but he did not foresee what happens now… which one is it?

[@StoutProper]

Don’t worry, he always tells the truth, even when he lies

[@jillybe1873]

It's both. This is Tony.

[@GerLeahy]

He explained it. The transition from pragmatic Putin to despot. And I aint no fan of Tony.

[@DS-ll5fn]

@@StoutProper 🤣

[@BolshevikCarpetbagger1917]

Ah Tony Blair who worked his hardest to get Putin elected more than two decades ago as he was ravaging Chechnya, where Bucha style killings were weekly occurrences.

[@mattwright2964]

Some of his observations are useful but we need to admit we have sent mixed messages which haven't helped the West's case.

[@robbiewizz658]

Oh you think 🤔

[@nosequiters]

who better to ask about a war criminal than a war criminal

[@content-mu8bo]

'the principal risk now is escalation, because if you can't find a way to bring the conflict to an end, and its clear Putin is going to struggle to win this militarily, the question is how desperate does he become?' 7:57 - Absolutely right

[@deebingham5338]

Putin has said several times, and I don't know if I'll get this quote correct "If there's not a Russia then there's no need for a planet." With that in mind, if Putin decides to use lightweight tactical nuclear weapons in Ukraine, will NATO respond? If NATO responds, will Putin resort to an all-out nuclear war? I have also asked myself if Putin had been president when Kennedy refused to back down during the Cuban missile crisis, what would have happened? Does Putin have the mental ability to accept defeat in Ukraine? So many questions and there aren't any absolute answers?

[@alhassangangu4357]

If Putin wanted to win the war like we did in Iraq, this war would have ended in 2 weeks. When Russia finally entered the Syrian war, what happened?

[@coreywall1977]

The west should tell Putin he has 2 months to remove forces or we will end the planet, then follow through if he does not. Let Putin decide to end the Human race if he thinks a little bit of Ukraine is worth it.

[@alhassangangu4357]

@@coreywall1977 The west? These hopeless, hapless and helpless goons should tell Putin what? Are these leaders? If they were, the security guarantees that Russia was asking for would have been addressed.

[@deebingham5338]

@@coreywall1977 That is the biggest fear the West and the rest of the world is facing. It has never been 100% proven Russia has the "Dead Hand" mechanism in place. A Russian general confirmed it did in 2011, but who can believe anything coming out of Russia. The Dead Hand mechanism would release every nuclear weapon in Russia's arsenal if threatened by any country, especially those with nuclear weapons. I do agree with you, why would Russia want to start a nuclear war over Ukraine? Ukraine was never a threat to Russia to begin with. Ukraine never attempted to retake Crimea. When Georgia showed interest in becoming part of NATO, Russia invaded the country. Now Finland and Sweden are considering becoming part of NATO and Russia is threatening to move nuclear weapons and construct silos in the Arctic. Russia already has a large military facility in the Arctic, and Russia's Poseidon was moved there just prior to the invasion. A lot of people have said Putin is interested in reestablishing the Soviet Union. It's beginning to look like Putin not only wants the Soviet Union back. Looks like he's also interested in reestablishing the Russian empire, which would include Finland. Since Finland was once part of Sweden, maybe Putin wants to include that country as well. All speculation....Only a few people know what's going on in Putin's head and what is his real objective? President Kennedy stood firm against Russia's nuclear threat during the Cuban Crisis. I wonder what he would have done in a crisis like this?

[@chrism415]

Is this the best interviewee the Economist could find? Well, we have fallen on hard times. Sad.

[@elsestelema6273]

Blair. The man who never told the truth

[@joyridesham]

It takes a war criminal to know a war criminal.