"The Coalition of the Willing" and unilateralism

[RichV]

We'll be hearing a lot in the coming months from our side about Bush's unilateralism, and the other side will country by noting there are 30+ nations in the "Coalition of the Willing." Below are the countries with troops there and how many from each.

36 countries have troops in Iraq:

United States 120,000
Britain 11,000
Albania 70
Australia 1,000
Azerbaijan 150
Bulgaria 470
Czech Rep. 92
Denmark 496
Dominican Rep. 300
El Salvador 360
Estonia 55
Georgia 70
Honduras 370
Hungary 300
Italy 3,000
Japan 250 (750 on the way)
Kazakhstan 25
Latvia 120
Lithuania 105
Macedonia 28
Moldova 25
Mongolia 180
Netherlands 1,100
New Zealand 60
Nicaragua 230
Norway 150
Philippines 95 (175 on the way)
Poland 2,400
Portugal 130
Romania 400
Singapore 200
Slovakia 69 (120 on the way)
South Korea 675 (3,000 on the way)
Spain 1,300
Thailand 443 (30 on the way)
Ukraine 2,000

So... looks like both sides have a point. There are a lot of countries involved, but more than 90% of the troops and funding are American with the number of American troops there apparently about to swell. However, there are a number of countries on board.

So who has the stronger point? Is the coalition simply window-dressing? If so, is it even possible to convince Bush supporters that's the case? Also, were any concessions (aid, etc.) provided to any of these countries to get them on board?

[Career Prole]

1. Aid promised or existing aid threatened...

...it's the Coalition of the Coerced.

[Mikimouse]

2. Come come now, how can you look at that list...

and not be awed? I mean, really, look at the list of military powerhouses that have joined the coalition? Let's review, from your post:Albania 70
Azerbaijan 150
Bulgaria 470
Czech Rep. 92
Denmark 496
Dominican Rep. 300
El Salvador 360
Estonia 55
Georgia 70
Honduras 370
Hungary 300
Italy 3,000
Japan 250 (750 on the way)
Kazakhstan 25
Latvia 120
Lithuania 105
Macedonia 28
Moldova 25
Mongolia 180
Netherlands 1,100
New Zealand 60
Nicaragua 230
Norway 150
Philippines 95 (175 on the way)
Poland 2,400
Portugal 130
Romania 400
Singapore 200
Slovakia 69 (120 on the way)
South Korea 675 (3,000 on the way)
Spain 1,300
Thailand 443 (30 on the way)
Ukraine 2,000

I think that the Iraqi resistance should be shaking in their boots just reading such a list, don't you? I understand that those Moldovian fighters are a real threat, as are the ones from Slovakia, Kazakhstan, Macedonia (unless of course Alexander has been resurrected just for the occasion), Estonia and Georgia. How can you even question the coalition as window dressing. Silly liberal! (sarcasm off)
:evilgrin:

[RichV]

3. Yup.

But I do want everyone to be prepared to counter this argument for the next 7 months, because it will be made over and over and over.

[Mikimouse]

4. It is already being made...

and it is quite amusing to watch the response from those who have no clue as to the actual involvement of the 'coalition of the bribed and bullied'.