Intelligence Squared

Iraq: 20 Years On | Tony Blair on Trial

Mar 24, 2023

David Aaronovitch, a notable journalist and author of "Party Animals," joins a compelling discussion centered on Tony Blair's legacy two decades post-Iraq war. The live event scrutinizes Blair's paradoxical leadership—balancing significant reforms in health and education against controversial decisions surrounding the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. Witnesses weigh in on healthcare advancements and the ethical implications of Blair's policies, particularly regarding intelligence failures. The dialogue challenges listeners to reconsider their views on accountability and government effectiveness in today's context.

01:05:47

Episode guests

David Aaronovitch

AI Chapters

Episode notes

Intro

4min

The Complex Legacy of Tony Blair

17min

Tony Blair's Leadership: A Double-Edged Sword

9min

Reflections on NHS Funding and Reform Success

2min

Debating Legacy and Immigration Policy

6min

Unraveling the Iraq War Narrative

16min

Debating Government Accountability and Educational Outcomes

5min

Debate Overview: Shifting Opinions on Tony Blair's Legacy

2min

Tony Blair is the man who reinvented Labour, won a landslide majority in 1997 and went on to win three elections, becoming Labour’s longest-serving prime minister. He is also the man accused of lies, hubris, money-making deals and taking us into an illegal war.

This episode features a live event which Intelligence Squared hosted in London in March 2016, when we put Tony Blair on trial and examined his legacy on foreign policy, health, education and much more.

Levelling charges against him was Tom Bower, investigative journalist and author of Broken Vows: Tony Blair and the Tragedy of Power. Defending him was the journalist and Times columnist David Aaronovitch.

This event was originally produced by Hannah Kaye. This series was produced by Farah Jassat and Catharine Hughes, with editing and artwork from Catharine Hughes. Music is by Lesfm.

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