Bush: "We’re kicking ass" in Iraq

[Dan]

Bush: "We’re kicking ass" in Iraq

[_Z_]

British troop pullout

Coincidence?

[Andrew]

It looks like Australia is one of our last true allies.

[_Z_]

Not even sure of that. John Howard proclaimed a troop reduction before Blair did. Ausi troops are now down to a number around 1600, with about a third of those in a combat role. While a confirmed total withdrawl date has not been announced, Howard is facing increased pressue in light of his country's upcoming election. He's currently trailing his opponent, Kevin Rudd, who promises a complete and immediate withdrawl should he be elected. (source: AP news)

The British contingent will remain at about 5000-5500 for the present in a bivouaced airbase locale. Gordon Brown hasn't made his plans known to Parliament yet, but it's suggested a further drawdown will be implemented in future months.

[Ducc]

Allies should help you when they think you're right, not when they think you're wrong. That wouldn't even make sense. That'd be like making "allies" synonymous with "fraternity".

[_Z_]

Ducc- I'm finding it increasingly more difficult to find any sense in the world. Sometimes, united actions combine strange bedfellows- that otherwise might not be allied in cause. What we collectively had in Iraq may have indeed been a fraternity of sorts.

At any rate, apparently the 'party' is drawing to a close.