Remember the so-called “Coalition of the Willing?
It has dwindled in number and fervor. Politicians know enough to talk the talk, but precious few are willing to walk that walk. Even America’s staunchest ally – England – has marched its troops out of the southern Iraqi city of Basra, under cover of darkness. In many of the countries where leaders signed up to join the U.S. crusade, their people have voted them out of office, and sent some leaders into political retirement. Such are the wages of democracy. At home, the war has deepened divisions not seen since the ravages of the Vietnam War.