The recent election in Spain removed the gov't that supported President Bush in Iraq. The new gov't has been sworn in now and they have announced the immediate removal of Spain's troops.
CNN: Spain plans quick pullout of Iraq
Part of our difficulty in Iraq (IMHO), is that it is seen (by the locals) as a U.S. occupation instead of an international effort to provide stability while they sort out their own self-gov't (the U.S. hand picked the Iraqi governing council after all). Spain's departure won't help that public perception.
I think if we could get UN troops in there, especially troops that aren't white, english speaking and Christian...something like Egyptian troops (like we had in the first Gulf war), it would be going much better. There would still be trouble makers, but they would have much less broad support from the general population.
I've tried to find a list of the countries with troops on the ground in Iraq...this is the best I could come up with.
Coalition troops as of November, 2003
If someone else has a better link... I'd appreciate it.
CNN: Spain plans quick pullout of Iraq
Part of our difficulty in Iraq (IMHO), is that it is seen (by the locals) as a U.S. occupation instead of an international effort to provide stability while they sort out their own self-gov't (the U.S. hand picked the Iraqi governing council after all). Spain's departure won't help that public perception.
I think if we could get UN troops in there, especially troops that aren't white, english speaking and Christian...something like Egyptian troops (like we had in the first Gulf war), it would be going much better. There would still be trouble makers, but they would have much less broad support from the general population.
I've tried to find a list of the countries with troops on the ground in Iraq...this is the best I could come up with.
Coalition troops as of November, 2003
If someone else has a better link... I'd appreciate it.