Blair denies covert deal with Bush on Iraq

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Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair has denied striking a “covert” deal to invade Iraq with George W. Bush at a private meeting in 2002 at the President’s ranch in Texas. Blair told the Iraq inquiry in London there was no secret about what was said – that Saddam Hussein had to be dealt with and “the method of doing that is open”. Laura Lynch has been watching the inquiry. Download MP3

• BBC coverage
• Marco Werman speaks with former Iraqi Prime Minister Allawi
• Timeline: Tony Blair on Iraqi WMD
• Tony Blair’s closest aide defends choices on Iraq

Britain’s inquiry into the Iraq war

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The UK government’s former top lawyer has said he initially believed a second UN resolution was necessary to justify invading Iraq in 2003, but changed his mind a month before the war. Critics of the war have long suspected that former Attorney General Peter Goldsmith was pressured to change his mind by then Prime Minister Tony Blair (pictured). Blair is expected to testify before the inquiry on Friday. Laura Lynch reports. Download MP3

• BBC coverage
• Timeline: Tony Blair on Iraqi WMD
• Tony Blair’s closest aide defends choices on Iraq

Entire program – November 26, 2009

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Today on The World: A British inquiry into the Iraq War reveals more about what George Bush and Tony Blair discussed before the invasion; why trouble for the global economy is good news for the world of romance novels, and we find out what can be heard at the International Body Music Festival.

British inquiry into Iraq war continues

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Tony Blair’s view on regime change in Iraq “tightened” after a private meeting of the British Prime Minister with President George W. Bush in 2002, the UK’s former ambassador to the United States has testified. Sir Christopher Meyer said no officials were at the Bush family ranch talks but the next day Blair mentioned regime change for the first time. The World’s Laura Lynch continues her coverage of the UK inquiry into the 2003 invasion of Iraq. Download MP3 (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

• BBC coverage
• Laura Lynch on day 2 of the inquiry
• FAQ Britain’s Iraq inquiry
• US investigation of Iraq war

Interview with Pervez Musharraf

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The former president of Pakistan was America’s ally in fighting Muslim extremism. Many in Washington said he did too little. Many Pakistanis said he bowed to western pressure. Now, as Pakistani troops battle militants along the Afghan border, he talks with Marco Werman about the delicate balance of leading Pakistan. Download MP3 (Photo: Catherine Murphy)
Web extra: Marco asked Musharraf about his stay in the US:

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• Musharraf profile
• Musharraf’s facebook page

Cheney’s involvement in interrogation abuse

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Anchor Katy Clark speaks with John Nichols, author of an unofficial biography of former Vice President Dick Cheney, about allegations of Cheney’s role in authorizing the CIA interrogation techniques now under investigation.

Keeping secrets from Congress

This weekend, the New York Times broke the story that the Bush administration had a secret counter-terrorism program started after the 9/11 attacks and that Vice President Cheney directed the CIA to keep it from Congress. The World’s Jason Margolis reports on the legal ramifications. Listen