Hubris drove foreign policy mistake “far worse than Suez”. (2014) Lord David Owen interview

“If the Iraq war is the nexus for a Sunni-Shiite war – which might be the history of the next 100 years – it’s far worse than Suez as a foreign policy mistake.

Hubris, power and the correct way to topple dictators: an interview with David Owen

Published in theconversation.com, 13 February 2014

The greatest disaster caused by hubris syndrome in recent times is the Iraq war, suggests Lord David Owen, a former UK Foreign Secretary, in a recent interview for the conversation.com.

“If it is the nexus for a Sunni-Shiite war – which might be the history of the next 100 years – it’s far worse than Suez as a foreign policy mistake.”

He is quick to accept that “I supported it” but argues it was because he was lied to by the then PM, Tony Blair.

Owen, who trained as a neurologist/psychiatrist before going into politics, suggests Blair’s behaviour was the result of a personality change he calls “Hubris Syndrome”.

“Hubris isn’t a totally negative concept,” says Owen. “It implies taking risk and having energy as much as it does the more negative connotations.” But the elements of hubris syndrome he has identified are are largely negative. “Power can change the personality of power-holders, not just in politics, but in every realm of life ranging from business to the media.”

Access the full article here: Hubris, power and the correct way to topple dictators

Got an opinion? Leave a comment below