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Blair's Wars by John Kampfner
No Prime Minister in modern times has led Britain into as many wars as Tony Blair. In seven years in office he has committed soldiers to action in Kosovo, in Operation Desert Fox against Iraq, in Sierra Leone and Afghanistan -- and, most controversially, in the final battle with Saddam Hussein in 2003. It has been a dramatic course of action for a man who, until he won the 1997 General Election, showed only a rudimentary understanding of the workings of foreign policy. Combining page-turning narrative and revelation with an analysis of the philosophy underlying his adventures abroad, BLAIR'S WARS shows how this government has sought to be at the forefront of a new and turbulent world order. Putting the reader into the 'smoke-filled rooms' of Whitehall and Washington where the real decision-making takes place, John Kampfner draws on his unparalleled contacts within and outside government to provide a compelling account of the tensions, rivalries, deal-making and back-stabbing that have accompanied inexorable acquisition of foreign-policy control.
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First published January 1, 2003
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About the author
John Kampfner
15 books65 followersJohn Kampfner is an author, commentator, broadcaster and journalist. From 2008 to 2012 he ran Index on Censorship, from 2005 to 2008 he was editor of the New Statesman, and before that he worked for the Financial Times, the BBC and the Telegraph. He is a regular pundit and presenter for all channels on politics and foreign affairs and the author of four previous books. - from publishers Allen and Unwin
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
August 8, 2016
Shockingly readable, very well written and informative. Read post Chilcott and believe it has travelled very well.
War Criminal? Very hard to say...but a very scary insight into how government happens and how it could be you or me making the decisions with as little awareness of foreign policy as the Blessed Tony when he came to power. We too might be imbued with a holy belief in the rightness of the USA and Israel, come what may..
War Criminal? Very hard to say...but a very scary insight into how government happens and how it could be you or me making the decisions with as little awareness of foreign policy as the Blessed Tony when he came to power. We too might be imbued with a holy belief in the rightness of the USA and Israel, come what may..
July 7, 2016
predates Chilcott by a good 12 years. Strange to say, Chilcott, doesn't seem to have added much to Kampfner's account. Plus this book is far more concise and better written
February 15, 2021
Five wars in the space of a six years mandate: such is one of Tony Blair's legacy, upon which delves in here the political journalist John Kampfner.
Kosovo, Sierra Leone, Afghanistan and Iraq, he tries and explain how a politician who, until becoming PM, had no experience whatsoever of geopolitical issues was, nevertheless, brought to make such issues one of his core preoccupation, to the point of redefining thus the role of Great Britain in the world.
A fascinating read, highly interesting and written with a remarkable objectivity (it will provide ammunitions both to the pro and anti interventionism) John Kampfner does more than simply retracing the history behind the conflicts Tony Blair was involved in. He shows, above all, how such conflicts, each in their own way, had a considerable impact upon the man, and how, ultimately, they would affect how he ended up seeing the world as a politician. For instance, it's impossible to understand the fervour of his engagement in Iraq without clearly bearing in mind the whole historic preceding it. Indeed, if the author deals here (in details) with the question of supposed weapons of mass destructions, he also delves into other aspects explaining his surprising zeal in supporting the USA, even when such zeal meant sabotaging his own reputation and that of his country (both with the United Nations and the European Union).
Tony Blair had (has) a reputation for being cynical and manipulative; yet this book, without either condemning nor defending, manages to portray him as a man firmly entrenched in genuine convictions, whose determination was rooted not only in his Christian faith, but, also, in episodes that had truly shaken him as a human being. What had happened in Kosovo, for example, a genocide at the heart of Europe, would radically influence his view when it comes to interventionist policies. He was, in fact, rightly or wrongly (again, to each his own opinion, and, whatever side of the fence you stand upon, 'Blair's Wars' does a great job in maintaining a striking balance...) a politician who truly believed in foreign interventions for humanitarian and/ or moral reasons, whatever the price may be.
We follow here his journey, the path of a man who wanted to save the world and whose vision, naïve or courageous, Machiavellian or ethical, arrogant or justified, would ultimately hurt themselves against the growing American unilateralism following 9/11.
Here's a insightful and remarkable read.
Kosovo, Sierra Leone, Afghanistan and Iraq, he tries and explain how a politician who, until becoming PM, had no experience whatsoever of geopolitical issues was, nevertheless, brought to make such issues one of his core preoccupation, to the point of redefining thus the role of Great Britain in the world.
A fascinating read, highly interesting and written with a remarkable objectivity (it will provide ammunitions both to the pro and anti interventionism) John Kampfner does more than simply retracing the history behind the conflicts Tony Blair was involved in. He shows, above all, how such conflicts, each in their own way, had a considerable impact upon the man, and how, ultimately, they would affect how he ended up seeing the world as a politician. For instance, it's impossible to understand the fervour of his engagement in Iraq without clearly bearing in mind the whole historic preceding it. Indeed, if the author deals here (in details) with the question of supposed weapons of mass destructions, he also delves into other aspects explaining his surprising zeal in supporting the USA, even when such zeal meant sabotaging his own reputation and that of his country (both with the United Nations and the European Union).
Tony Blair had (has) a reputation for being cynical and manipulative; yet this book, without either condemning nor defending, manages to portray him as a man firmly entrenched in genuine convictions, whose determination was rooted not only in his Christian faith, but, also, in episodes that had truly shaken him as a human being. What had happened in Kosovo, for example, a genocide at the heart of Europe, would radically influence his view when it comes to interventionist policies. He was, in fact, rightly or wrongly (again, to each his own opinion, and, whatever side of the fence you stand upon, 'Blair's Wars' does a great job in maintaining a striking balance...) a politician who truly believed in foreign interventions for humanitarian and/ or moral reasons, whatever the price may be.
We follow here his journey, the path of a man who wanted to save the world and whose vision, naïve or courageous, Machiavellian or ethical, arrogant or justified, would ultimately hurt themselves against the growing American unilateralism following 9/11.
Here's a insightful and remarkable read.
July 16, 2022
A great description and analysis of the Blair government's foreign and military policies, told by a journalist with access to insiders.
While it's now a while since the book was written, it is still very revealing, providing details about the conflicts between Blair and other ministers (particularly Robin Cook) as well as Blair's (subservient) relationship with George Bush and BAE Systems. Many of Kampfner's revelations and implications have since become widely accepted (following for example, the revelations of the Chilcot Report in 2016, and Blair's interference to stop a criminal investigation into BAE in 2006).
There is a freshness and liveliness to the writing despite it dealing with what could otherwise appear to be fairly dry topics involving government processes and so on.
There are two things it's worth being aware of before reading the book: Firstly, there are no references, because Kampfner depends on anonymous sources, but of course he would not be able to reveal what he does if he had to name everyone. Secondly, this is very much a book about the thoughts and actions of politicians and their advisers, not about politics in the wider sense or what's going on in society more generally. I don't think this is a problem, as the book does not claim to be something that it isn't; the book is what it is because of inside accounts of what was going on at the top. However, if you were looking for a more general history of the wars in question - or of how they affected British politicis - you would need to read other books alongside this one, including books that deal with anti-war movements.
While it's now a while since the book was written, it is still very revealing, providing details about the conflicts between Blair and other ministers (particularly Robin Cook) as well as Blair's (subservient) relationship with George Bush and BAE Systems. Many of Kampfner's revelations and implications have since become widely accepted (following for example, the revelations of the Chilcot Report in 2016, and Blair's interference to stop a criminal investigation into BAE in 2006).
There is a freshness and liveliness to the writing despite it dealing with what could otherwise appear to be fairly dry topics involving government processes and so on.
There are two things it's worth being aware of before reading the book: Firstly, there are no references, because Kampfner depends on anonymous sources, but of course he would not be able to reveal what he does if he had to name everyone. Secondly, this is very much a book about the thoughts and actions of politicians and their advisers, not about politics in the wider sense or what's going on in society more generally. I don't think this is a problem, as the book does not claim to be something that it isn't; the book is what it is because of inside accounts of what was going on at the top. However, if you were looking for a more general history of the wars in question - or of how they affected British politicis - you would need to read other books alongside this one, including books that deal with anti-war movements.
June 10, 2024
Quite a gratifying read, and covers in great detail the way the Blair administration handled the political environment and involvement in foreign affairs. Great coverage of the administration's connection with US administrations and it's coverups. Great step-by-step coverage and so well done!
February 23, 2017
Great writing by Kampfner and insight into Blair's zealous nature for going to war which has plagued him as his defining legacy.
May 31, 2015
You would think that this is about Blair as the male version of Brittania but it is more about dysfunctional government and relations with other countries and how Tony Blair became convinced he was more a savior and liberator among other things.
Fast paced and reading more like a novel than a documentary, we never really get to know the actors and their thinking but rather rushed decision making and spin where calmer heads and more objective thinking was needed.
Food for thought but not to be taken too seriously in it's own right.
Calmer heads are needed for a good assessment of this book.
Fast paced and reading more like a novel than a documentary, we never really get to know the actors and their thinking but rather rushed decision making and spin where calmer heads and more objective thinking was needed.
Food for thought but not to be taken too seriously in it's own right.
Calmer heads are needed for a good assessment of this book.
February 12, 2021
Pull up a seat on the ministerial meetings that led one man to green light five military conflicts in six years. Then Take minutes on a public spiral from humanitarian to warmonger, A legacy in ruins due to two old adages ignored "Gather your evidence before you make your conclusion" Or you could end up frantically trying to put together a dodgy dossier. And "You are the company you keep" Especially when your company is A Texan oil barren suggesting invading an oil rich country.
November 10, 2008
I thought this was a very good analysis of most of Blair's prime minister-ship (that might be a made up word!). It's incredible to continue to read in other books about Blair's ignorance of international affairs before and in the begining of his pm-ship and incrediable that he continued in those conflicts, both noble and not so noble. I felt Kampfner was more than fair.
March 25, 2017
What was interesting and awful about this book was the insider politicking that went on in the cabinant. I mean how old are these people? It was like reading about characters in a Jackie Wilson book set in School. Who was ignoring who, which member hadn't been talked to or invited in to consult. Seriously. We picked them to run the country.*Shudders*
August 9, 2011
An excellent analysis of Blair's foreign policy, that really emphasises Blair's own genuine belief in interventionism long before the beginning of the Bush Presidency. I'd highly recommend it to anyone wanting to know more about Britain's role in Afghanistan and Iraq, as well as the pre-September 11th conflicts in Sierra Leone, Kosovo and Iraq (1998).
May 14, 2013
This book is 10 years old now, but as the Chilcott Enquiry shows no sign of reporting it gives us a very detailed account of the run-up to the Iraq war (as well as Kosovo and Sierra Leone) which I hope the members of that enquiry have read.
July 6, 2010
Excellent, but awfully depressing. As the dust settles from the Iraq fiasco, the hubris of the previous administration should serve as a warning of the arrogance of group-think.
November 4, 2013
Very interesting read...
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews