Gordon Carrera

Because in many ways, it's so different, isn't it?

Because there's been no attempt by the US, in this case, it's the US and Israel rather than the UK and US, but to justify the war with all these, or get a UN resolution.

And the intelligence is kind of... It's so interesting, isn't it?

Because there's none of the public cases...

being made or the thoughts about dossiers or how to present the evidence.

It's very different.

And of course, you know, the other big difference is that the UK this time has made a very conscious decision.

We are not going to be involved in this operation.

And that again is such a shift from 2001, 2002, 2003, when Tony Blair felt we have to be in alongside the Americans.

The military wanted to do it.

The intelligence agencies want to do it.

in the current world, we've made a very conscious decision not to be alongside the Americans in this war.

And I think that tells you quite a lot about how the world and how Britain and America have changed since.

That's right.

I think that's a great place to close it with a just sense that this was one of the most consequential decisions that was taken and based on this intelligence failure.

So, well, we hope everyone who's been listening has enjoyed this deep dive into Iraq WMD.

A reminder, of course, that club members, you're going to be able to hear even more because you're going to be able to hear from some of the key players in these decisions, people who are in the room

At this interface between intelligence and politics, people like Mike Morrell, who eventually becomes an acting director of the CIA, Richard Dearlove, who was head of MI6 at the time, and one Alistair Campbell, who was Tony Blair's director of communications.

So it's a real chance to really explore this with key participants for our club members.

So do sign up at therestisclassified.com.