It has been widely claimed by BBC haters that Andrew Giligan during the invasion of Iraq was a defeatist reporter, gleefully exaggerating setbacks for US/UK forces and failing to recognise accomplishments. Interesting to learn that he was a supporter of the invasion: see this article by Boris Johnson MP.
Politics #2: The Bush administrations *real* motivations for invading Iraq
John Marshall's Talking Point Memo provides an
interesting discussion of the real motivation for the invasion of Iraq. I was convinced that the motive
Josh gives (roughly, reengineering the Middle East to promote democracy, and so make the region safe and friendly
to Israel and the US) was the real motive for the war since
I read this interview in Foreign Policy. If this is right, then it is clear that the Bush Administration as a whole deceived the american
public, despite having honorable
motivations (Paul Wolfowitz being the decent exception, who
did make this case).
Josh says the reason for the deception is the administration thought their actual reasons were too complex to make to the american public. One is reminded of Dean Acheson's infamous remark about the need to explain the case for going to war in Vietnam "in terms clearer than truth".