Going, going, gone? U.S.-led coalition set to significantly shrink...

[PhilipShore]

Mainichi Daily News
Going, going, gone? U.S.-led coalition set to significantly shrink later this year
February 08, 2006

http://mdn.mainichi-msn.co.jp/international/news/20060209p2g00m0in001000c.html

VIENNA, Austria -- The Ukrainians are long gone. So are the Norwegians. The Italians and South Koreans are getting ready to leave, and the Britons and Japanese could begin packing their bags later this year.

Slowly but steadily, America's allies in Iraq are drawing down or pulling out as Iraqi forces take more responsibility for securing the country. By year's end, officials say, the coalition _ now 25 nations supporting a dwindling U.S. contingent of 138,000 _ may shrink noticeably.

[BlueEyedSon]

1. It was never a coalition, it was always 90% US. nt

[The_Casual_Observer]

2. "dwindling U.S. contingent of 138,000" dwindling?

It's always been around 138,000 as a minimum. I doubt it will ever be less than that.

[reprobate]

4. Certainly it will be less than that. When the Iranians and Iraqis decide

that we should no longer be in Iraq, they will join forces and see to it that we leave. Many in body bags. The entire Bush administration is a criminal enterprise and should be prosecuted under the RICCO act.

[mumon]

9. Ummm...it's worse than you think

It was around 150,000.

But then there were those casualty thingies.

Given the standard 10X wounded per killed, well, do the math.

They just couldn't replace enough of them, I'd guess.

[LynnTheDem]

3. Love the spin; "now 25 nations supporting..." LOL!

Yeah them 5 Tongans WOOHOO POWERHOUSE!!!

:eyes:

Out of those "25 nations", some 80% have 100 or fewer actual troops in Iraq.

At PEAK FORCE @ 300,000;

250,000 from the United States
40,000 from Britain
10,000 other, ranging from 2,000 Australians to 70 Albanians.

OMG what a broad coalition! :rofl: The US "msm" never did point out what absolute utter bullshit that was...even tho bush spewed the lie several times a day. Damn librul media.

[LiberalEsto]

5. There's a couple dozen Estonians

The US probably leaned on Estonia bigtime to force them to join the "coalition."

[LynnTheDem]

6. It was the thought of all that lemon chicken got to them.

No really.

:D

[LiberalEsto]

7. Lemon chicken's a bit too exotic for Estos

But they'll travel anywhere for really good sauerkraut.

[LynnTheDem]

8. The Germans didn't send troops...maybe it's the Polish sausage got em?

Sure as hell wouldn't be for KBR's infested & health inspector-condemned mess halls.

[deadparrot]

10. AP: Iraq Coalition Shrinking

VIENNA, Austria - The Ukrainians are long gone. So are the Norwegians. The Italians and South Koreans are getting ready to leave, and the Britons and Japanese could begin packing their bags later this year.

Slowly but steadily, America's allies in Iraq are drawing down or pulling out as Iraqi forces take more responsibility for securing the country. By year's end, officials say, the coalition — now 25 nations supporting a dwindling U.S. contingent of 138,000 — may shrink noticeably.

The withdrawals and reductions will test the Iraqis' ability to tamp down attacks and rebuild, said Anthony Cordesman of the Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies, warning in a new report: "It is too soon to predict the extent to which Iraqi forces can eventually replace coalition forces."

Britain, with about 8,000 troops in Iraq, is the United States' most important coalition ally. Officials repeatedly have said they hope to begin bringing home some of their troops this year, though Defense Secretary John Reid has played down recent reports that Britain has settled on a timetable for withdrawal.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060208/ap_on_re_mi_ea/iraq_shrinking_coalition

[marmar]

11. They've got to get ready for Iran...

:tinfoilhat:

[gordianot]

12. Don't forget Poland or have they also left?

Sounds like this is going the same way as the Axis in WWII fewer and fewer as it progresses.

[hvn_nbr_2]

13. The coaltion of the been-there done-that had-enough. n/t