Dwindling Coalition

The Coalition continues to break apart, although it never was much to begin with.

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.

Of course, US officials would prefer it was not happening, with the security situation still very uncertain.

One bit of good news for the Americans has been that, despite recent strains in their relations, Italy seems to be staying for now. But the departures probably will cause some headaches as US commanders of the multinational force in Iraq try to plug emerging gaps.

Nothing surprising here- as the cost of the war continues to increase yearly, and the Insurgency's steady growth, and the thus far unproven Iraqi government [who deliberated for weeks on filling positions, has just now finally filled 6 key posts, and has not yet begun to deliberate on Iraq's new constitution], many of our coalition allies are reconsidering their participation. Bush owes these countries immensely: just having their names on the list was enough to propose the war, which has helped Bush retain his position on top. Of course, Blair was able to hold on, but with significant damage to shoulder from his alliance in the war.