Boris Johnson admits 'moral failure' in 2003 Iraq invasion

Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has made a remarkable admission about the 2003 Iraq invasion, describing the coalition's actions as "morally wrong" and acknowledging the catastrophic lack of planning for the post-invasion period. During a television interview, Britain's former leader revealed that British and American forces had no coherent strategy for governing Iraq after toppling Saddam Hussein's regime.

'No Plan Whatsoever' for Post-Invasion

Johnson detailed how coalition forces dismantled Iraq's entire administrative structure without any replacement strategy. "We had no plan whatsoever for who would replace Saddam," he stated. "We eliminated the entire Ba'ath Party, the entire ruling elite." This wholesale removal of governing institutions created a power vacuum that plunged the country into chaos and violence.

Moral Failure and Institutional Collapse

The former prime minister characterized the approach as a complete moral failure, noting that British and American diplomats operated without clear direction. When Johnson inquired about the current plan during a press conference, he recalled being told "we're going on a journey" - an admission that officials had no concrete vision for Iraq's future. The resulting institutional collapse left the country without functioning government mechanisms.

Historical Context and Lasting Impact

The 2003 invasion led by the United States and United Kingdom resulted in the deaths of approximately 461,000 people between 2003-2011 according to estimates. The conflict fundamentally reshaped Iraq's political landscape, creating divisions that persist today. Johnson's statements represent one of the most candid admissions from a senior British official about the strategic and moral failures of the Iraq war.