Clear Quote by Stephen Harper
![“It [the Iraq invasion] was absolutely an error. It's obviously clear the evaluation of weapons of mass destruction proved not to be correct. That's absolutely true and that's why we're not sending anybody to Iraq.” quote by Stephen Harper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/04d/stephen-harper-3432_clear_it-the-iraq-invasion-was-absolutely-an-e_668993.jpg)
“It [the Iraq invasion] was absolutely an error. It's obviously clear the evaluation of weapons of mass destruction proved not to be correct. That's absolutely true and that's why we're not sending anybody to Iraq.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: House of Commons, Canada, 2003
The Iraq war was based on faulty intelligence; the WMD claim was incorrect, prompting a reassessment of foreign policy.
In simple terms: The war was a mistake due to false WMD evidence.
Key Takeaway
Demand rigorous evidence before military action.
Themes
foreign policy
intelligence failure
war
accountability
Mood
cautious
critical
Type
political
historical
When to use this quote
- government deliberations
- public debate
- military planning
Key Concepts
misinformation
decision making
political consequences
Questions to Reflect On
- What mechanisms can prevent intelligence misinterpretation?
- How should leaders be held accountable for such errors?
A Different Perspective
Relying on unverified claims can lead to costly errors.
![“If Saddam's regime and survival are threatened [by invasion], he will have nothing to lose, and may use everything at his disposal... If weapons of mass destruction land on Israeli soil, killing innocent civilians, the experts I have consulted believe Israel will retaliate, and possibly with…” quote by Edward Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/39d/edward-kennedy-3423_assault_if-saddam-s-regime-and-survival-are-thre_1963226.jpg)
![“I think what everybody believes and agrees with, and to be frank myself, is that the current approach [to the drug trade] is not working, but it is not clear what we should do.” quote by Stephen Harper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/8cd/stephen-harper-3432_agree_i-think-what-everybody-believes-and-agre_145251.jpg)
![“After all, enforced national bilingualism in this country isn't mere policy. It has attained the status of a religion. It's a dogma which one is supposed to accept without question. [M]ake no mistake. Canada is not a bilingual country. In fact it is less bilingual today than it has ever been...As…” quote by Stephen Harper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/4ae/stephen-harper-3432_accepting_after-all-enforced-national-bilingualism_169327.jpg)
![“We have no clear ideas of the agency of [demonic] spirits, nor is it necessary. The Scripture says little to satisfy our curiosity; but tells us plainly that he is always watching us, and desiring to sift us as wheat. I believe we give him no more than his due, when we charge him with having a…” quote by John Newton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/c75/john-newton-6629_abundance_we-have-no-clear-ideas-of-the-agency-of_2907.jpg)
