CANADA

CANADA

The Globe and Mail, Toronto, Feb. 1: Of the past decade’s political mysteries, none is deeper or of greater consequence than the set of decisions that led to the 2003 invasion of Iraq. On Friday, former British prime minister Tony Blair testified at the Iraq Inquiry, a commission set up by the British government to find out how that country went to war, and how the war was run. Given what we know, and what we still need to find out, it is more essential than ever that the U.S. conduct its own full examination of its involvement in Iraq.

Lessons

The Iraq Inquiry, in its words, aims to “provide a reliable account of events that will help identify lessons to guide future foreign policy decision-making and decisions regarding conflict and post-conflict situations.” The members include historians, former civil servants and an independent member of the House of Lords.

Mr. Blair’s conviction, seriousness of purpose and, compared with George W. Bush, curiosity about the facts, are not in doubt. But the flimsiness of the case presented for the war — to rid Saddam Hussein of WMDs — is not in doubt any more, either.

ISRAEL

The Jerusalem Post, Jan. 31: The People’s Republic of China reacted to Washington’s announcement on Friday that it will sell defensive weapons to Taiwan worth $6.4 billion with customary bluster. The Foreign Ministry protested to Jon Huntsman, the American ambassador, and announced that a range of military and economic programs between the two countries would be placed in abeyance.

Boycott threat

China is never happy when weapons are sold to Taiwan, but this time Beijing threatened to boycott American companies, including Boeing and Raytheon, involved in the deal.

Since its 1949 civil war and the Communist takeover of the mainland, China has regarded Taiwan as a breakaway island. Beijing asserts that the arms sale “seriously endangers China’s national security.”