America's 'dwindling coalition'

[farquar]

The Bulgarian parliament has endorsed the decision to pull the country's 450 troops out of Iraq by the end of the year.

Japan is reported to be planning to do the same thing.

The Ukrainians, among others, have been withdrawing. Poland is cutting its commitment.

After some very acrimonious departures in the past - like that of the Philippines - it is difficult to escape the impression that Washington's band of coalition partners in Iraq is dwindling. http://iraq.headliner.org/headliner.php?c=uk&id=170254&abbr=bbcnews

[BrerRabbit]

Maybe, just maybe, their view of Iraq is improving and they don't see need to stay.

Na, its got to be because the situation is unwinnable (sarcasm).

All parties are reducing their manpower, except the Austrailians, because the Iraqis are stepping forward and assuming control. It aint perfect but its happening.

[Mucho Dinaro]

You do realize that with them withdrawing......it's less than 2000 troops total from all those countries (depending how many Poland is relieving).....whoopdidoooda. We have trained the Iraqi's to take their place. It was good for them to be there, but they aren't really needed anymore. My 2 cents and that's the way the cookie crumbles. :lmao:

[Dinaress]

http://www.defendamerica.mil/images/photos/mar2005/photoessays/pi032105a4.jpg

[mudbug]

http://today.reuters.com/news/newsArticle.aspx?type=worldNews&storyID=2005-05-07T112424Z_01_N07498852_RTRIDST_0_INTERNATIONAL-IRAQ-DC.XML Looks like they finally have the Defense & Oil positions filled. We'll have to wait and see if the Sunni Defense Minister can Git-R-Done.