Meaning: The quote, "But they were going to war anyway and they were going to bully and pressure countries to vote for it," by Clare Short, a British politician, reflects a critical perspective on the decision-making process leading to the Iraq War in 2003. Clare Short, a former member of the UK Parliament and a Cabinet Minister, was known for her outspoken and often controversial views. In this particular quote, she appears to be addressing the perceived inevitability of the war and the tactics employed to secure international support for the military intervention.

In the context of the Iraq War, which was highly contentious and remains a subject of debate and analysis, Short's quote can be interpreted as an assertion that the decision to go to war had already been made by certain parties, regardless of the diplomatic efforts and international debate surrounding the issue. Furthermore, the mention of "bully and pressure countries to vote for it" suggests that there were coercive tactics employed to garner support for the war, potentially raising questions about the ethical and moral dimensions of the decision-making process.

The Iraq War, initiated by the United States and supported by a coalition of other countries, was justified on the grounds of removing the perceived threat of weapons of mass destruction (WMDs) in Iraq and the alleged links between the Iraqi government and terrorist organizations. However, the actual existence of WMDs in Iraq became a subject of intense scrutiny and controversy, with subsequent investigations yielding no substantial evidence to support the initial claims.

In the lead-up to the invasion of Iraq, the diplomatic efforts at the United Nations, particularly regarding the authorization of military action, were met with significant international divisions. The United States and the United Kingdom, among other supporters of the war, sought to secure a UN Security Council resolution that would provide a legal basis for military intervention. However, faced with opposition from several key members of the Security Council, the resolution was not obtained, leading the US and its allies to pursue military action outside the framework of a UN mandate.

Clare Short, as a member of the British government at the time, was privy to the internal discussions and decision-making processes that ultimately resulted in the UK's participation in the Iraq War. Following the onset of the conflict, Short became a prominent critic of the government's handling of the situation, eventually resigning from her ministerial position in protest against the war.

The quote attributed to Clare Short encapsulates the sentiments of skepticism and criticism that were prevalent among those who opposed the Iraq War and questioned the legitimacy and justifications put forward by its proponents. It alludes to the perception that the decision to go to war was driven by factors beyond the public discourse and the principles of multilateral diplomacy, and that coercive tactics may have been employed to rally support for the military intervention.

In the years since the Iraq War, the conflict and its aftermath have been the subject of extensive analysis, scrutiny, and reflection. Debates continue to rage over the justifications for the war, the conduct of the military campaign, and the long-term repercussions for Iraq, the wider Middle East, and global politics. Clare Short's quote serves as a reminder of the complexities and controversies surrounding the decision to go to war and the manner in which international support for such actions is sought and secured.