Coalition of the Invisible

Story

At its height, in the months after Saddam Hussein was toppled, the multinational force [aka Coaltion of the Willing] numbered about 300,000 soldiers from 38 countries — 250,000 from the United States, about 40,000 from Britain and the rest ranging from 2,000 Australians to 70 Albanians.

By January of this year, though, the combined non-U.S. contingent had dwindled to just over 14,000. As of Tuesday, it stood at 20 nations and roughly 11,400 soldiers.

Three possible outcomes from Iraq. Stay, leave, and delay.

18 nations are no longer delaying. They left. Those who didn't leave, are only delaying departure after reducing troops while the U.S. recently increased combat troops.

The remaining U.S. combat troops cannot undo the past. Nor, can they see far enough into the future to even shoot the right people at the right time.

No one can see the future for the carnage of the present.