Instead of celebrating the success of their Iraq venture, Washington and its allies have been on the defensive, insisting that Operation Iraqi Freedom launched three years ago to the day will end in victory, although when is less certain than ever.
"Transiting from tyranny to democracy is never smooth or easy," said Australian Prime Minister John Howard, one of America's main allies in the war.
Iraqi Prime Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari said: "We have suffered during the past year ... The road ahead will be tough."
But in the article in the Washington Post, he added: "The world should not falter at such a crucial stage in history." |