LONDON, Sept. 7 (UPI) -- Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, in his new book, heaps praise on George W. Bush and remains steadfast that taking Britain to war in Iraq was right, a decision that seriously damaged his political reputation at home.
Bush is "very smart -- a true idealist," who had "immense simplicity in how he saw the world," Blair wrote in 'A Journey,' his newly released memoir. "Right or wrong it led to decisive leadership".
Released last week, the book comes at a time when the United States is ending its combat mission in Iraq. The war was spearheaded by Bush and managed to destroy Blair's reputation in Britain, where he is still considered "Bush's poodle" for following the United States and other allies into the conflict.
While most of British politicians have recanted their support for the military mission, Blair said he "can't regret" it.
"I can say that never did I guess the nightmare that unfolded, and that, too, is part of the responsibility. The truth is, we did not anticipate the role of al-Qaida or Iran," he writes Whether we should have is another matter; and, if we had anticipated, what we would have done about it is another matter again".
The British mission in Iraq, from the start of the invasion in March 2003 until April 30, 2009, claimed the lives 179 British troops. Blair said last month he would donate all the book's proceeds and his estimated $7 million advance to a charity for ex-service members and in his book writes about the anguish he feels over those deaths.
UPI
