Italy to pull troops from Iraq: Can Iraqis pick up the slack?

By Ashley Valentini

The war in Iraq drags on. Since the beginning of the second Iraqi War on March 20, 2003, over 38 countries have deployed forces to assist the U.S/U.K led coalition aimed at destroying Saddam Hussein's regime.

From aboard the USS Lincoln, on May 1, 2003, President Bush declared an end to major combat in Iraq. Though major bombing campaigns have ended, the Iraqi insurgency has not; costs and casualties are still mounting. Now, in April of 2005, 175,000 American troops remain in Iraq; forces from close to 25 other nations accompany these troops. As the war continues many nations are reconsidering, or have reconsidered, the deployment of their troops. The withdrawal of troops from the region will leave the job of reconstruction and stabilization in the hands of the Iraqi people.

The United States, The United Kingdom, South Korea, and Italy, in order from most to least, have the largest number of troops deployed in Iraq- nearly 200,000 combined. As of March 15, 2005, Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi announced plans to begin the withdrawal of Italy's troops this coming September. The same day the Ukraine welcomed home 137 of its soldiers, part of a three step plan to remove all Ukrainian troops from Iraq.

Berlusconi's decision coincides well with the upcoming Italian elections. More than 70% of the Italian population was opposed to the war in Iraq. It seems that Berlusconi is shifting his support from Bush towards seeking support from the Italian population. The political move mimics that of the current Spanish Prime Minister, Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, who used March 11 and his promise to pull Spain's 1,300 troops as a platform to defeat the former Spanish Prime Minister, and Bush supporter, Jose Maria Aznar.

Italy is currently the fourth largest member of coalition forces in Iraq with 3,000 troops deployed. The Ukraine and Poland, who compromise the next largest forces, are currently in the process of withdrawing their forces along with Bulgaria and The Netherlands. Nicaragua, Spain, The Dominican Republic, Honduras, The Philippines, Thailand, New Zealand, Tonga, Portugal, and Moldova have already fully withdrawn. Australia, by contrast, has sent 450 new troops to the region as of February.

As military support dwindles in Iraq the region begins to face the ultimate test. Will Iraq be able to create a solid government and a sense of security that was once provided by Saddam's regime? As the Iraqi Governing Council begins drafting a constitution, and the people begin to pick up the pieces of their war torn country, will their thirst for liberty from tyranny prevail? These questions will help to answer the final question that weighs on the shoulders of America- was this war justified?