The Government’s Iraq Inquiry conducted to identify lessons that can be learned from the Iraq conflict officially opens today. Professor Gareth Stansfield, the Exeter University’s Director of Research in Institute of Arab and Islamic Studies, was one of a few academic experts who was asked to provide a briefing to the inquiry.
With Professor Tim Dunne, Head of Humanities and Social Sciences at Exeter University, Professor Stansfield attended two expert seminars and presented a research paper on The Causes and Consequences of Iraq’s Descent into Violence.
Professor Stansfield told the PRSD: ‘I am very pleased to have been given the opportunity to present my thoughts to the inquiry. With UK forces now in Afghanistan, it is imperative that the lessons of Iraq are not forgotten. The involvement of Exeter staff in the inquiry emphasises the prominence of the University in debates concerning UK foreign policy towards the Middle East and Islamic world.’
The seminars reflected the Iraq Inquiry committee member’s desire to hear a wide range of views on the UK’s involvement in Iraq 2001 -2009. Also, to get to the heart of complex issues involved. The experts’ contributions will help inform the committee’s approach to the public hearings which have just began.
A report of the Inquiry’s findings will be published at the end of this process, but as the Inquiry has such a complex task ahead of it the report is unlikely to be ready for publication before summer 2010. The inquiry committee intends to include in the report all but the most sensitive information essential to the UK’s national security. The report will then be debated in Parliament.
(press release from Exeter University)
(image: the Institute of Arab and Islamic Studies by Benjamin Evans)
Support the PRSD! If you like what we do, help us keep doing it (suggested donation 40p). If not, help us make it better. The PRSD is part of not-for-profit News and Media Republic Ltd
Loading ...
Recent Comments