Dont blame Berlusconi
The week's news at a glance.
Rome
Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi said this week that he tried “many times” to persuade President Bush not to invade Iraq. “I was never convinced that war was the best way to make a country democratic or to enable it to escape from a bloody dictatorship,” he said before leaving for a state visit to Washington. His opponents immediately dismissed the statement as an attempt to boost his flagging standing in the polls. Berlusconi, a staunch Bush ally, sent 3,000 troops to Iraq even though most Italians were opposed to the war. He faces re-election in the spring. Rival Romano Prodi, who says he will pull Italian troops out of Iraq if elected, is currently 10 points ahead in the polls.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
-
What the Renters' Rights Bill means for landlords and tenants
The Explainer Reforms will give tenants more protection from eviction – but may result in rent increases
-
How potatoes became an 'unusual bellwether' in Russia's economy
Under The Radarp Spud shortages are pointing to a wider crisis in the nation's finances
-
7 food trails worth zipping along
The Week Recommends Take a bite out of the United States