Bush's Coalition, Deserting In Droves

After two more days of heightened violence in Iraq (Negroponte taking advantage of the GOP convention?), Juan Cole points out that the Poles have started making plans to end their major military presence in Iraq by January, while the Ukraine contingent is also signficantly sizing down this fall or winter.

He says Poland and The Ukraine - plus other countries, hopefully soon including Australia - can be added to this recent list from AP:

Thailand: 423 troops leaving early on Aug. 31 instead of Sept. 20; 20 withdrawn on Aug. 10.

Norway: 10 currently in Iraq; 140 withdrawn on June 30.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Dominican Republic: 302 withdrawn on May 4.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Honduras: 370 withdrawn on May 12.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Nicaragua: 115 withdrawn on Feb. 4.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Philippines: 51 withdrawn on July 19.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Singapore: 160 withdrawn on April 4.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Spain: 1,300 withdrawn on May 4.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.