How was it possible for Britain to wind up fighting a war in Iraq that so many British people considered illegitimate? An illuminating new book by LSE Fellow Dr James Strong attempts to offer some answers.
This event marks the book’s publication with a roundtable discussion of its contents, featuring a presentation from Dr Strong and analysis from leading experts on Foreign Policy Analysis, Britain’s role in the Iraq War and Iraqi politics.
James Strong (@dr_james_strong) is Fellow in Foreign Policy Analysis at LSE, where he received his PhD in 2012. His research interests encompass constructivist and neoclassical realist approaches to understanding foreign policy, and UK and US foreign policy in the ‘war on terror’ era.
Lawrence Freedman (@LawDavF) is Professor of War Studies at King’s College, London. His research ranges across contemporary strategic, defence and foreign policy issues, and his notable publications include the Official History of the Falklands Campaign (Routledge, 2005) and Strategy: A History (Oxford University Press, 2013). Between 2009 and 2016 he served as a member of the UK’s official Iraq Inquiry (the “Chilcot” Inquiry). He appears here as a scholar rather than as a representative of the Inquiry.
Juliet Kaarbo is Professor of Foreign Policy at the University of
Edinburgh. Her research ranges across Foreign Policy Analysis, including constructivist and cognitive theoretical approaches, and work looking at Dutch, German, Israeli, Japanese, Turkish, UK and US foreign policy. Her notable publications include Coalition Politics and Cabinet Decision Making (University of Michigan Press, 2012) and (edited with Cristian Cantir) Domestic Role Contestation, Foreign Policy and International Relations (Routledge, 2016).
Toby Dodge (@ProfTobyDodge) is Professor of International Relations and Director of the Middle East Centre at LSE. His research focuses on the role of the postcolonial state in the international system, specifically in the Middle East in general and Iraq in particular. Notable publications include Iraq: From War to a New Authoritarianism (Routledge, 2013) and Inventing Iraq: The Failure of Nation-Building and a History Denied(University of Columbia Press, 2005).
This event is free and open to all with no ticket or pre registration required.
Entry is on a first come, first served basis. For any queries email s.wise3@lse.ac.uk or call 020 7955 6821.
Suggested hashtag for this lecture: #LSEStrong
Public Opinion, Legitimacy and Tony Blair’s War in Iraq is published by Routledge. Hard copies and e-book versions are available from the publisher’s website. Flyers featuring a discount code will be distributed at the event.