London

Iraq war investigation: Authorities this week opened an official inquiry into the government’s actions leading up to the 2003 invasion of Iraq. Britain, the U.S.’s most prominent ally in Iraq, brought its last troops home from the war in July. A five-person committee appointed by the government will hear testimony from generals, intelligence officials, and political leaders, including former Prime Minister Tony Blair. The inquiry will assess the legal basis of the war, as well as allegations that Blair overplayed evidence of weapons of mass destruction in order to justify the invasion. “No one is on trial here,” said committee head Sir John Chilcot, a longtime civil servant. “But I make a commitment that, once we get to our final report, we will not shy away from making criticisms where they are warranted.”

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