Fighting in Iraq Presents Test for U.S. (Coalition Bailing?)

[leftchick]

This is a well written article. Japan is now begging the UN for help!

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20040407/ap_on_re_mi_ea/iraq_allies&cid=540&ncid=1480

<snip>
Fighting between coalition forces and Shiite militiamen across a wide swath south of Baghdad presents a major test of the resolve of America's partners to stay the course in Iraq.

The mounting unrest, triggered by the U.S. crackdown on firebrand Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, will also test the American strategy of avoiding traditional alliances and international institutions in favor of "coalitions of the willing" in a military conflict.


Washington's inability to bring its major partners in the NATO (news - web sites) alliance into the Iraq conflict means the United States has no ready pool of well-trained reinforcements — apart from its own troops — in case the Pentagon (news - web sites) decides more forces are necessary to maintain order.

Instead of binding treaty obligations, Washington must rely on arm-twisting and powers of persuasion to hold on to its coalition partners, some of whom face domestic pressure to send their troops home.

[Hand]

1. First out will be...

Halliburton! Of course, there could be resultant problems feeding and supplying the troops as a result, but they give as little a shit about that as Chimpy and Crashcart.

:mad: