Hold Blair, Bush accountable for Iraq, Afghan wars

THE 12-volume Chilcot report is a reminder that the Iraq and Afghanistan wars not only precipitated a humanitarian and geopolitical crisis, but are a major cause of global economic instability.

The humanitarian consequences, according to research of Brown University's Watson Institute, are well over 300,000 deaths of civilians, soldiers, police, contractors, aid workers and journalists over a period of 12 years. The number of wounded and individuals suffering from post-traumatic stress is estimated to be in excess of those who died.

Moreover, millions of people have been displaced and are homeless. Buildings and infrastructure have been destroyed, including public health systems, water treatment and sanitation, which have raised the death rate and general misery. Instability in the Middle East has, of course, also brought in its wake terrorist groups, such as Daesh, the so-called Islamic State criminal thugs.