No one seems to be writing opinion pieces quite the way I would, so I decided to do it myself.

The name? Taverns are places where one goes to discuss the interesting events and things in the world, so this is my tavern.

I will offer my views on politics, economics, and whatever else strikes my fancy.
I will occasionally publish the entire article from another journal for purposes of causing discussion.

US losing allies in Iraq

Bush may believe that the US is winning in Iraq, but the member states of the coalition of the willing do not seem to be getting the message.

Here is Juan Cole reporting on the loss of troops from our allies. The Polish and Ukrainian troops have been the largest contingests after the US and the UK, and the Polish troops commanded the foreign division.

The Government of India has asked the 5000 Indian workers in Iraq to come back to India, offering them help in doing so, because of the poor security conditions.

Not only have the Poles started making plans to end their major military presence in Iraq by January, but the Ukraine contingent is also signficantly sizing down this fall or winter.

That is, Poland and Ukraine, and many other countries will probably be added to the below list provided by AP a couple of months ago:

Thailand: 423 troops leaving early on Aug. 31 instead of Sept. 20; 20 withdrawn on Aug. 10.

Norway: 10 currently in Iraq; 140 withdrawn on June 30. Cited reason: growing domestic opposition and peacekeepers needed elsewhere, such as Afghanistan.

Dominican Republic: 302 withdrawn on May 4. Cited reason: growing domestic opposition.

Honduras: 370 withdrawn on May 12. Cited reason: Troops were sent for reconstruction, not combat.

Nicaragua: 115 withdrawn on Feb. 4. Cited reason: lack of funds.

Philippines: 51 withdrawn on July 19. Cited reason: to save lives of hostages.

Singapore: 160 withdrawn on April 4. Cited reason: completed humanitarian mission.

Spain: 1,300 withdrawn on May 4. Cited reason: new government fulfilled campaign pledge.

Note that only 13 countries other than the US have 300 or more troops in Iraq, and several of them will probably insist on withdrawing by February 2005.

The US will increasingly have to go it alone in Iraq next year, though the UK and Italy will probably continue to provide about half a division between them. (the US has the equivalent of about 7 divisions in Iraq).