What does Tony Blair know that Bush doesn't?

Question

Okay, Britain is our most valued ally and most loyal coalition force in Iraq. When the war began, Britain committed 40,000 troops to this effort. That number is now 7,100, and Blair's recent announcement will reduce that number even more. Complete withdrawal is possible by the end of the year. Bush claims that this action is a "sign of success". Wait a minute. Won't it "embolden the enemy"? Isn't withdrawal before the job is done, a "sign of weakness"? Won't the terrorists "follow the British troops home"? Other countries with lesser forces are also pulling out. Why are we sending 21,000 more troops to Iraq, while Britain and others redeploy? Clearly, President Bush is talking out of both sides of his mouth. Why are the rules and consequences different for our allies?

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070221/ap_on_re_mi_ea/britain_iraq_39

SHAWN S: If what you say is true, why aren't the British troops being repositioned to support us in Baghdad rather than leaving? It makes no sense.

TO COREY, POLITICALLY WRONG, WINGSHOOTER AND JAY J.: Your argument doesn't hold water. If we are going to send another 21,000 troops, and Britain was successful in the south of Iraq, wouldn't it make sense that our most significant ally would join us in Baghdad? The job isn't done. Why send any troops home instead of focusing them where they're needed? Your explanation is impotent.

Answer 1

Labour's popularity has hit lowest in the polls. Brown's new policy is not going to help either. If tomorrow Britain calls for elections, Conservatives are sure to win. The Majority of Brits were, are and will always be against the invasion of Iraq, so Blair is only desperately trying to save the his New Labour. Politically, Blair is only surviving and the Labour Party is sinking. This is only a desperate populist decision to win back the Fabian faithfuls.

Answer 2

Britain is pulling out because the English people want their troops out of Iraq! They see this as not their war, really not any one's! Britain is listening to the people. Our government is not! Also, even though Denmark has only 400 troops in Iraq, they are pulling out, now! We are now almost alone is this totally stupid Police Action. We should just get out, when & if they can finally settle on a peace, we could help them rebuild what we have helped destroy. Until then, we don't belong in Iraq, never did belong there.

Answer 3

i knew after reading this news report.. that you liberals would jump on it like a fat kid eating cake...

He is redeploying troops from southern parts of Iraq which have been deemed secure...

Iraq's southern border touches Saudi Arabia and Kuwait.. both Allied forces.

Its the Northern parts of Iraq which border Syria, Turkey and Iran that are dangerous and unstable...

Thats why the British left parts of southern Iraq.
Not for any other reason, and the British have TRIED to make that clear... but liberals interpret things their own way...

england sent 400,000 troops when OIF was launched.. after we won the war.. EVERY country reduced its number of troops to the amount deemed neccessary to secure Iraq's government from rebel fanatics like Al-Sadr...

This is a positive sign, why? Because it means that the British forces have secured key parts of southern Iraq.. and those states' police forces can control their own people...

Thats what you democrats wanted and said the conservatives cant do right?!

well guess what... we proved right and you're trying to misintrepret these things to, once again, make the president and the conservatives look bad...

The British are not retreating from chaos and fire.. they are walking away from a peaceful villiage.. whats wrong with that?...

you make it sound like the British have given up.. when, in reality,... they finished their job..

Answer 4

You simply don't have all the facts or you are deliberately mis-stating them. The British troops were assigned a task and that task for about 700 of them is now completed. That's why they will be going home. The task in Bagdad is not yet finished, thus we will stay until its complete.

Why are you again twisting the story to make it look negative. This is a positive sign that we are winning.

Answer 5

Tony is trying to save the Labour Party after he leaves office soon.
he knows removing British soldiers from Iraq will take away one of the issues his party will have to contend with.
Bush is more interested in making a profit from this war.
Sometimes money matters more than peace. --PEACE & LOVE>

Answer 6

You're not much on world affairs and politics are you? He's pulling troops out because that sector in Basra is being turned over to the Iraqi's. Their job is done there, as it will be for others as the year progresses! Just part of the plan...oh...sorry you don't want to hear that! Try using your head for something other than sticking it in the sand or spewing out the liberal mantra!

Answer 7

Blair knows that Iraq is a lost cause. He sees that the people of Iraq will not help themselves so he has decided to get out while he can. Maybe Bush should take a hint from him. They were better off under a dictator that they are now.

Answer 8

Because they are pulling out of areas that are being handed over to the Iraqi government. Once the handover is done there is no reason to stay in that area. They are in sourthern iraq anyways. There is very little violence there unlike the anbar province. And sometime when the violence gets under control the americans can hand over majority of the citys to the Iraqi Government. Thats apart of the plan

Answer 9

1st off.The Brits are in a different arena and a different mission.. There's is working very good. They dont have the amount of insurgency to contend with.
2nd The lesser countries dont add up to a hill of beans
3rd We are in the heat of the war we are the leading power..that is why we cant leave...

Answer 10

Blair has something that Bush does not. A brain.