U.S. and British Documents Give No Indication Alternatives Were Seriously Considered

In its second “electronic briefing book” of three, the National Security Archive re-examines several aspects of the run-up to the Iraq war.

THE IRAQ WAR — PART II: Was There Even a Decision?, National Security Archive, George Washington University, October 1, 2010.

Contrary to statements by President George W. Bush or Prime Minister Tony Blair, declassified records from both governments posted on the Web today reflect an early and focused push to prepare war plans and enlist allies regardless of conflicting intelligence about Iraq’s threat and the evident difficulties in garnering global support.

Perhaps most revealing about today’s posting on the National Security Archive’s Web site is what is missing — any indication whatsoever from the declassified record to date that top Bush administration officials seriously considered an alternative to war.

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