George Bush believed he was on a ‘mission from God’ in Iraq war
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The UK was warned about the President by the former deputy secretary of state. A senior US official warned that George W Bush believed he was on a “mission from God” to crush Iraqi insurgents, according to newly released UK government files. Richard “Rich” Armitage, the former deputy secretary of state, told Britain’s ambassador at the time, Sir David Manning, the president had to be given a “dose of reality” after demanding US forces “kick ass” in the face of rising Iraqi resistance.
![[Sir David Manning. A senior US official warned that George W Bush believed he was on a “mission from God” to crush Iraqi insurgents, according to newly released UK government files]](https://static.independent.co.uk/2024/12/30/18/01JGB628QY6X4GNWTGVF5PWY9Y.jpg)
In an extraordinarily frank conversation, Mr Armitage dismissed claims by the US commander in Iraq that he could put down a major uprising in the city of Fallujah within days as “bullshit” and “politically crass”. The papers, released to the National Archives in Kew, west London, show Mr Armitage appealed to former prime minister Tony Blair to use his influence with Mr Bush and persuade him there needed to be a wider “political process” if order was to be restored.
![[President George W. Bush signs a resolution authorizing the use of force against Iraq, Oct. 16, 2002]](https://static.independent.co.uk/2023/03/27/05/Senate_Iraq_War_92155.jpg)
In May 2003, the president famously declared “mission accomplished” following the overthrow of the Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein by US and British coalition forces. Less than one year later much of the country was in the grip of violent insurgency, with US troops engaged in a bloody battle in Fallujah where militants had ambushed and killed four private military contractors.
