London
French President Jacques Chirac opposed the war in Iraq simply to undermine Prime Minister Tony Blair, a new book asserts. The book, Tony Blair, by Financial Times columnist Philip Stephens, cites confidential reports from British intelligence. The reports said Chirac felt that the charismatic Blair had “usurped his own position” as the dominant leader in Europe, and that Chirac hoped to use the debate over Iraq to isolate the British leader. “Blair came to believe it,” Stephens says in the book, “telling close aides that Chirac was ‘out to get him.’” French officials scoffed at the report, and the British prime minister’s office refused to comment.
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.
-
‘A legacy news brand brings a visibility of its own’Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
-
8 of the best ‘cozy crime’ series of all timeThe Week Recommends Murder mysteries don’t necessarily have to make us miserable, and these shows have perfected a feel-good crime formula
-
Youth revolts rattle Morocco as calls against corruption grow louderTHE EXPLAINER Snowballing controversy over World Cup construction and civic services has become a serious threat to Morocco’s political stability
