MSNBC(UK) reports today that Blair/Bush bond has taken a serious turn for Bush, but a great one for UK soldiers and British citizens.
British troops are to start coming home from Iraq within the next few weeks, Prime Minister Tony Blair is expected to announce.
In the past many months, British citizens from all walks of life and their Members of Parliament, from both sides of the aisle, have been calling for a withdrawal. Until now, Mr. Blair, like Mr. Bush, have declined to listen. Blairs actions have even been seen to have caused the resignations of some of his own ministers.
It will not be an immediate withdrawal, as logistically that is very difficult to do. Rather, a phased process will be implemented.
He is expected to stress that any withdrawal will be dependent on the security situation on the ground. Suggestions that he will set a 2008 target for the last UK soldier to come home were thought to be wide of the mark.
Troops reaching the end of their mission in the coming weeks are thought unlikely to be replaced, while others will pull back into their heavily-fortified bases in preparation for their return home, handing over day-to-day responsibility for security to Iraqi forces.
I wonder how lonely (and angry) Bush must feel now. His coalition is all but dissolved and yet he can't see the light. As proud as I am to be an American, I'm happier here than I have been in the last six years under Bush's Barbarianism.