Sure, Britain's still in. But what about Mongolia? Checking in on the "Coalition of the Willing"

FRICTION ACCOMPLISHED When Tony Blair reluctantly steps down as prime minister later this month, he'll join a long list of political casualties of war. To show support for America's Iraq debacle is a radioactive position for most heads of state these days. To offer support is downright lethal. Yet, whether borne out of loyalty or opportunism, we still have a few friends around the world willing to get our back

Remember the "Coalition of the Willing?" Those countries that trailed right behind us like a rapper's entourage as we rolled into Baghdad to give Saddam a little taste of American freedom? In all, there are still about 12,000 foreign troops fighting for our president in Iraq, plucked seemingly at random from a battle-ready Epcot Center of 27 different nationalities. (Mongolia sent 160 infantrymen. Mongolia!) Some offered succor in a symbolic gesture of solidarity, others in a blatant bid for NATO recognition.

Given the vastly disproportionate number of American boots on the ground (150,000), it's hard to argue that the "coalition" is anything more than international garnish on a U.S. venture. But it should be recognized that many thousands of non-American soldiers have gone to Iraq since 2003, and nearly 300 of them have died. Many still remain despite the catastrophic strategy failures and raging chaos, but significant withdrawals have taken their toll on the dream team. Spain pulled out after the March 2004 terrorist bombings in Madrid, and more than a dozen others have followed suit. Of those who packed it in, Italy suffered the most casualties, with 33 soldiers killed.

So, as Bush's base of support disintegrates at home, who's still holding his hand in Baghdad? And who's inching toward the door? Below, Radar's comprehensive, country-by-country State of the Coalition Report, from A to Z.

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ALBANIA 120 troops

Albania's defense minister has stated that his armed forces "will stay on the side of the American armed forces in Iraq until the mission will be over." And there's no reason to doubt his sincerity. Albania has been one of America's staunchest allies in Iraq. It was one of the few countries to contribute troops to the initial invasion, and currently has 120 troops patrolling the Mosul airport.

Unlike most U.S. partners, the Albanian government has not been buffeted by the domestic political unrest which generally accompanies Iraq involvement. There were grumblings over its parliament's decision to strip Albanian security forces of their weapons during President Bush's recent visit, but support for the U.S. remains high. Clad in a T-shirt bearing the United States' official seal, the mayor of Albania's largest city assured a New York Times reporter that "Albania is for sure the most pro-American country in Europe, maybe even in the world." It should come as no surprise that the U.S. is also backing Albania's NATO bid.

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ARMENIA 46 troops

Armenia's 46-man delegation is comprised mostly of truck drivers. And to make sure that the depth of Armenia's commitment to the mission was fully grasped, the prime minister advised that his country's presence in Iraq is "primarily symbolic and for political purposes." While this probably did not boost the morale of the Armenians currently risking their lives in Karbala and nearby town al-Hila, it appears to aptly characterize the views of a country that was probably forced into participating by its desire to keep up with their neighbors—Georgia and Azerbaijan (Armenia's hated rival)—who have been more enthusiastic in vying for U.S. support and gratitude.

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AUSTRALIA 1,300 troops, 1 fatality

Australian troops were among the very first to invade Iraq, having been assigned with taking out Saddam's scud missiles a day before the initial U.S. bombing campaign began in March 2003. And while Australian Prime Minster John Howard has suffered politically for his outspoken support of the mission, he recently reaffirmed Australia's commitment to keeping troops there until the Iraqi government can defend itself.

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JUMP TO: Azerbaijan, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Britain, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Denmark, El Salvador, Estonia, Fiji, Georgia, Japan, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Macedonia, Moldova, Mongolia, The Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea,
Ukraine

AZERBAIJAN 150 troops

Azerbaijan is one of three Muslim countries with troops in Iraq. Having sent about 900 soldiers in since 2003, Azerbaijani forces currently number about 150—many of whom are protecting an electricity-generating dam in Iraq's violent Al-Anbar province. Azerbaijan is contemplating the desirability of NATO membership, and, far more importantly, wants U.S. support of their grievance with Armenia's occupation of the Nagorno-Karabakh territory (which is in Azerbaijan but populated mostly by Armenians). Earlier this year, Azerbaijani officials angrily implied that their country's involvement in Iraq was about to end after wording in a U.S. State Department report about the dispute was construed to favor the Armenian perspective. U.S. officials, who may value Azerbaijan's oil reserves and strategic location more than its contribution to Iraq, quickly cleared up the misunderstanding.

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BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA 36 troops

Shortly after the 2003 invasion, a top Bosnian Serb leader resigned in the wake of allegations that he had condoned illegal arms sales to Saddam Hussein. But Bosnia-Herzegovina now has 36 de-mining experts in Iraq; the small force includes members from each of the three ethnic groups that fought the bloody civil war that tore the country apart in the early 1990s.

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BRITAIN 7,100 troops, 150 military fatalities

Britain's full-bore support for the mission in Iraq is well-known. Less-discussed is the fate of the vital city of Basra, where Britain is now reducing its troop commitment by 2,100.

Basra is where most of Iraq's oil is, and therefore the country's future hinges in many ways on who controls Basra's local government institutions and oil facilities. The Iranians seem to recognize this, as the top contenders for control of Basra include several militias that are falling increasingly under Iran's sway.

As the British withdraw, the power struggle between warring militias is certain to escalate, with a distinct advantage going to those who have access to a steady supply of weapons and resources. According to a local intelligence official, "In Basra, Iran has more influence than the government in Baghdad. It is providing the militias with everything from socks to rockets."

Departing Prime Minister Tony Blair explained the idea behind the troop reduction thusly: "There is real progress there and we don't want to get in the way of that progress." But Britain's last-minute decision to pull the plug on Prince Harry's Basra tour suggests the true British assessment may be more in line with the views of an Iraqi law professor, who said, "If the Prophet Muhammad would come to Basra today, he would be killed, because he doesn't have a militia. There is no state of law, the only law is the militia law."

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JUMP TO: Albania, Armenia, Australia, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Denmark, El Salvador, Estonia, Fiji, Georgia, Japan, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Macedonia, Moldova, Mongolia, The Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea,
Ukraine

BULGARIA 120 troops, 13 military fatalities

In 2003, Bulgaria strongly supported U.S aims in Iraq. Then, in 2004, Bulgaria achieved the NATO membership it coveted, and in December 2005, pulled its contingent of nearly 500 troops out of Iraq. Support for the war had plummeted after nearly 20 Bulgarian soldiers and civilians were killed, including two who were beheaded and a soldier who was accidentally killed by U.S. forces.

But in 2006, 120 Bulgarian troops returned to Iraq to guard Camp Ashraf. The facility is officially characterized as a "refugee camp," but could be more accurately described as the "holding tank for the military arm of the National Council of Resistance of Iran." While the Mujahideen e-Khalq, or MEK, did a lot of Saddam Hussein's dirty work—and is officially recognized as a terrorist organization by the U.S.—the combination of its militaristic tendencies with a virulent hatred of the Iranian leadership has piqued the interest of many top U.S. officials, who have ensured that these 4,000 "refugees" have their own special Bulgarian-protected playground in Iraq.

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CZECH REPUBLIC 100 troops, 1 fatality

The Czech Republic was an early supporter of the war, something that former president Vaclav Havel attributed to the empathy Czech people have for those living under totalitarian regimes. But his replacement, Vaclav Klaus, has been far less enthusiastic, stating shortly after the invasion that the belief that "democracy can be installed by military force is, for me, from another universe." But his distaste for the war has not led to troop withdrawal—nor has it prevented the country from aggressively working to reestablish the strong presence Czech businesses enjoyed in Iraq during the 1970s and 1980s. Since 2003, Czech exports to Iraq have increased by 400 percent.

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DENMARK 460 troops, 7 military fatalities

Like other early supporters of the war, the Danish prime minister has suffered at home for his stance on Iraq. Contributing to his difficulties is a Danish intelligence officer who leaked a pre-war report that concluded there was no evidence of weapons of mass destruction in Iraq. This directly conflicted with statements the prime minister made to the Danish parliament leading up to the war. The intelligence officer went to jail for revealing classified information. Most Danish troops are currently serving under British command in the strategically vital city of Basra—but not for long. The Danes announced in February that their 460-troop force will be replaced by a 50-man helicopter unit by August.

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JUMP TO: Albania, Armenia, Australia, Azerbaijan, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Britain, El Salvador, Estonia, Fiji, Georgia, Japan, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Macedonia, Moldova, Mongolia, The Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea,
Ukraine

EL SALVADOR 380 troops, 5 military fatalities

The 360 El Salvadoran soldiers in southern Iraq are all that remains from a Spanish-speaking coalition that once included soldiers from Spain, Honduras, Nicaragua, and the Dominican Republic. By most accounts, the Salvadorans are putting on an impressive performance.

In 2004, a Salvadoran battled fiercely through an ambush set by members of Muqtada Al-Sadr's militia, fighting off insurgents with a knife after running out of ammunition. "We never considered surrender," said one of the soldiers. "I was trained to fight until the end." According to one U.S. official, "You hear this snotty phrase, 'Coalition of the Billing' for some of the smaller contingents. The El Sals? No way. These guys are punching way above their weight. They're probably the bravest and most professional troops I've ever worked with."

El Salvador's work in Iraq may be paying off back home. The country was the first country to be recommended for trade with the U.S. under a new Central American free trade agreement. And late last year, the U.S. gave El Salvador an economic development package worth nearly $500 million.

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ESTONIA 35 troops, 2 fatalities

In 2002, when discussion was underway about whether or not to support the U.S.-led invasion, Estonia was on the precipice of gaining membership in NATO. Like other former Soviet satellites, Estonia is often the subject of aggressive harassment by its former masters in Moscow, and therefore, the security assurances associated with membership hold great appeal. According to the Estonian minister of foreign affairs, the country was not willing to risk jeopardizing its NATO bid by refusing the U.S. The country achieved NATO membership in 2004 and has decided to stay in Iraq (35 soldiers in Baghdad) because of their "important partnership" with America.

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FIJI 223 troops, 20 fatalities

Fiji is not a part of the U.S. coalition, but hundreds of Fijians currently have gun-toting gigs in Iraq. Many are serving in the Fijian military, which has been officially deployed to Iraq since 2004 as part of a small contingent of UN peacekeepers. The UN specifically requested Fiji's assistance in the aftermath of the 2003 bombing of its headquarters, but the arrangement has become increasingly awkward for the international body given the Fijian military's successful overthrow of the democratically elected government in late 2006. Fijians have also found their way to Iraq by joining the British military, or by taking jobs with private security firms promising wages that cannot be matched in the island nation. One recruiter for a private security firm claimed to have a waiting list of 150 Fijians looking for work in Iraq.

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JUMP TO: Albania, Armenia, Australia, Azerbaijan, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Britain, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Denmark, Georgia, Japan, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Macedonia, Moldova, Mongolia, The Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea,
Ukraine

GEORGIA 859 troops and growing

When it comes to Iraq, British Prime Minister Tony Blair is widely regarded as the Dwight Schrute to President Bush's Michael Scott. But that's probably because people haven't paid much attention to the aggressive toadyism of Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili.

At a time when even the staunchest U.S. allies are preparing to withdraw from Iraq, Georgia is doubling down. Its recent decision to increase troop levels from 850 to 2,000 can be attributed in a large measure to the country's strong interest in having U.S.-trained troops capable of crushing separatist movements within Georgia, and also to rising tensions with neighboring Russia. The rocky relationship—which once involved Russia cutting off Georgia's natural gas supply in the middle of the winter—has made NATO membership a top priority. And Shalva Pichkhadzehas, head of the organization in charge of getting Georgia into NATO, has not been shy in linking the country's support in Iraq to NATO membership: "We are showing them [the U.S.] that if we are admitted to NATO, they will have a really faithful ally. We say, 'We will be your ally and will do whatever we can for you, and you, in your turn, help us join NATO.'"

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JAPAN troops TBD + money + air support = ?

It makes sense for a country that feels threatened by China and North Korea to sidle up nice and close to Uncle Sam. In a move that some said violated its pacifist constitution, Japan sent 600 troops to Iraq. The deployed soldiers, who were told to camouflage themselves by growing mustaches, took on non-combat reconstruction duties in southern Iraq. Many Japanese were skittish nonetheless about having the country's troops sent to a combat zone in a non-peacekeeping role for the first time since World War II; these concerns were exacerbated when a Japanese citizen in Iraq was found beheaded and wrapped in an American flag in late 2004. Japanese troops left Iraq in early 2006, after the British turned over security responsibilities for the region in which they were deployed to the Iraqis. However, Japan continues to support coalition forces by airlifting supplies into Baghdad from Kuwait, and is loaning Iraq more than $800 million for oil pipeline repairs.

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KAZAKHSTAN 27 troops, 1 military fatality

Even without the obvious Borat jokes, Kazakhstan's involvement is notable.
One of three Muslim-dominant countries to contribute troops (Azerbaijan and Albania are the others), it is the only country represented from Central Asia. Their involvement in Iraq seems best explained as part of an ambitious strategy to develop their military capabilities through increased interaction with NATO and the U.S.—a delicate task that runs the risk of angering their monstrous neighbors, Russia and China. Kazakhstan entered a military cooperation agreement with the U.S. that is set to expire next year; the country's defense minister suggested that it was "time to think about ending the work of our military unit in Iraq."

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JUMP TO: Albania, Armenia, Australia, Azerbaijan, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Britain, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Denmark, El Salvador, Estonia, Fiji, Latvia, Lithuania, Macedonia, Moldova, Mongolia, The Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea,
Ukraine

LATVIA 124 troops, 3 military fatalities

Like other Eastern European countries on the cusp of NATO membership, Latvia was extremely supportive of U.S. objectives prior to the start of the war. Close ties with the U.S. were likely seen as especially important to the Latvians right before the war commenced, as Russia had just stopped oil shipments through the country in an effort to bully them into selling a major port facility. President Bush voiced support for Latvia's position on the Russian cut-off a month before the war began. Arguing in favor of sending troops to Iraq, the Latvian prime minister noted that the country's "symbolic support will have great significance if Latvia later needs international support." Latvia gained NATO membership in 2004, and plans to withdraw most of its troops from Iraq this month but has pledged to increase troop levels in Afghanistan.

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LITHUANIA 60 troops

Another Eastern European country that places a high value on NATO membership and U.S. friendship, Lithuania first sent boots to Iraq in June 2003.

While a steadfast U.S. ally, Lithuania did cut its troop commitment in half in 2006, and internal rifts regarding a full withdrawal have recently risen to the surface. On the same day that England and Denmark announced major troop reductions earlier this year, the Lithuanian defense ministry advised the media it was seriously considering withdrawal as well. The defense minister was promptly rebuked by Lithuanian President Valdas Adamkus: "We should not now run away from a complicated situation at the first opportunity.... If Lithuania today withdrew from Iraq without waiting for a joint decision, I would not be proud of it."

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MACEDONIA 35 troops

Like other participants in the Iraq mission, Macedonia has received valuable U.S. military assistance, and strong U.S. support for their effort to join NATO. But a highly prized dividend has been getting the U.S. to take their side in a bitter dispute with Greece. A southern chunk of Yugoslavia until 1991, the country has long bristled under its international handle—"the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia" (FYROM)—which was essentially foisted upon them by the insistence of neighboring Greece.

The Greeks of course have their own Macedonia, and strongly oppose recognizing the young country simply as the "Republic of Macedonia" for territorial and cultural reasons. Particularly maddening to the Greeks are the country's efforts to claim Alexander the Great as one of its own.

A year after Macedonia sent troops to Iraq—and several months after Secretary of State Colin Powell had to cancel a visit because of massive Greek anti-war protests—the Bush Administration infuriated the Greeks by announcing that it would be recognizing Macedonia by its preferred name. The president of Macedonia called it the biggest diplomatic victory in the country's short history.

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JUMP TO: Albania, Armenia, Australia, Azerbaijan, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Britain, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Denmark, El Salvador, Estonia, Fiji, Georgia, Japan, Kazakhstan, Moldova, Mongolia, The Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea,
Ukraine

MOLDOVA troops TBD

Moldova is the poorest country in Europe, a place where people resort to things like prostitution and selling bodily organs to survive. But they have sent about 75 troops to Iraq since 2003, something the Communist Moldovan president has called "making a contribution to international security." Moldova is generally not known for such contributions, as it has long been a useful conduit for international arms-traffickers and other nefarious types. This can be attributed in part to the government's powerlessness over the Transnistria breakaway province that is aligned with Russia and has been suspected of being used to ship weapons to insurgent forces in Iraq. The U.S. has joined Moldova in protesting the presence of Russian troops in the disputed region. Eleven Moldovan de-mining experts returned home earlier this year, and it's unclear how many remain, but another set of Moldovan troops in Iraq would not be surprising given their keen interest in modernizing their military with U.S. and NATO assistance.

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MONGOLIA 160 troops

Mongolian participation in Operation Iraqi Freedom was a surprise to everyone, including the U.S. That's because U.S. officials didn't even think to ask the former Soviet satellite in East Asia if they wanted tickets to the big gun show. But they did, and an infantry company of Mongolian troops has been in Iraq since 2003.

For many Iraqis, this is something of an unwanted encore performance by the Mongolians, who last came to Iraq in the 13th century under the leadership of Genghis Khan's grandson Hulagu Khan. The Mongol invaders leveled Baghdad so completely—killing by some estimates as many as a million people—that many Sunnis still hold a bitter grudge with the Shi'a over it, believing that a Shi'a opened the city gates for the Mongols.

But the Mongolian commander in Iraq says that their intentions are honorable this time: "Then, we went to invade. This time, we are going to build Iraq." Mongolia's eager coziness with the U.S. has been noticed with disfavor by some of its neighbors, particularly those who will probably be spied on by U.S. listening posts that may or may not be under construction in Mongolia. (Hello, China and Russia!)

Mongolia seems satisfied with the return on their Iraq investment. They've gained valuable U.S. assistance in modernizing their military, scored a U.S. trade deal, and were even paid a visit by President Bush in 2005, the first-ever visit by a U.S. president. As one Mongolian official proudly described the fruits of their labor, "Now everyone will know where Mongolia is." (FYI, it's here.)

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THE NETHERLANDS 15 troops, 2 military fatalities

The Netherlands has 15 soldiers in Iraq, all of whom are dedicated solely to the NATO mission of training Iraqi police officers. The Dutch were far more involved in earlier years, with a force of almost 1,400 troops in Iraq at one point. But public opinion in the Netherlands became increasingly more negative about the Iraq war; specific terrorist threats in Amsterdam and the murder of filmmaker Theo van Gogh by an Islamic fanatic likely contributed to a perception that involvement in Iraq was increasing their vulnerability to terrorist attack.

Dutch troops may not have been that enthusiastic about the mission either, as they were rumored to have threatened to go on strike while in Iraq over low pay. After the Iraqi elections in January 2005, the Dutch quickly called the mission a success and withdrew all but 15 of their troops. "There are no reasons, no security reasons, to stay any longer," said one Dutch official.

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JUMP TO: Albania, Armenia, Australia, Azerbaijan, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Britain, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Denmark, El Salvador, Estonia, Fiji, Georgia, Japan, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Macedonia, Poland, Romania, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea,
Ukraine

POLAND 900 troops, 20 military fatalities

At the war's outset, it was suggested that Polish involvement stemmed from its people's solidarity with the oppressed people of Iraq. But the Polish foreign minister threw cold water on that vibe when he said that access to Iraqi oil fields "is our ultimate objective" in Iraq. (This is an understandable desire given Poland's reliance on Russian oil imports.) Another likely factor is a general Polish interest in establishing close ties with the U.S. to buttress its second-rate status in the European Union.

In Iraq, the country's been a strong but at times disgruntled ally. The Polish president complained in 2004 about being "misled with the information on weapons of mass destruction." And the left-wing government which initially led Poland into the war was ousted a year later, some say because of a perception that it wasn't getting enough out of the U.S. in return for their Iraq efforts. The new government has kept pushing back plans for withdrawal, but say now that its troops will be out of Iraq by the end of this year.

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ROMANIA 600 troops, 2 fatalities

Romania has been an ideal U.S. ally in many ways: It provided logistical support to U.S. troops invading Iraq, sent its own troops to Iraq months later, and opened up its country to new U.S. military bases (possibly including the highly controversial but top-secret CIA detention facility). The president of Romania has even boasted of a "Bucharest-London-Washington axis."

But the country's involvement in Iraq still sparked a highly publicized falling-out in the Romanian political leadership last year, after the prime minister and defense chief unexpectedly announced that plans for expedited troop withdrawal were being drawn up. A furious president squashed these plans the very next day, ensuring that troops would remain in Iraq for at least a while longer. The president, who later survived an impeachment bid (mostly unrelated to the Iraq controversy), maintains his support for troops in Iraq, while the prime minister stands behind his belief that having troops in Iraq is "unpopular and no longer useful."

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SINGAPORE 1 troop

Singapore pledged early on to support the invasion, with or without a UN resolution. To make sure nobody got any funny ideas as to why, the deputy prime minister let everyone know that "there has been no monetary and other inducements paid to Singapore by the U.S. to support the U.S. position." This was about two months before the U.S.-Singapore Free Trade Agreement was signed. But Singapore's defense minister laid out the country's rationale for supporting the U.S. to broader interests by citing "the supply of oil and the spread of terrorism" and explaining its view that "how the situation turns out, there is a direct bearing on some of our most vital interests." This makes sense given Singapore's reliance on Middle East fuel imports and its aggressive posture in fighting extremist elements within the country's sizable Muslim population, particularly the Jemaah Islamiyah terror network that operates throughout Southeast Asia.

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong underscored this month the country's concerns about a U.S. withdrawal from Iraq contributing to the spread of Islamic extremism: "If America switches course and quits in a way that is seen as a defeat, its enemies will claim victory and jihadists everywhere will be emboldened." Singapore has had troops on the ground in Iraq—with one officer in Baghdad at the moment—but its role has focused primarily on providing fuel, supplies, and other support to coalition forces in and around Iraq.

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JUMP TO: Albania, Armenia, Australia, Azerbaijan, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Britain, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Denmark, El Salvador, Estonia, Fiji, Georgia, Japan, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Macedonia, Moldova, Mongolia, The Netherlands, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea,
Ukraine

SLOVAKIA 11 troops, 4 military fatalities

President Bush had a strong ally in Slovakian Prime Minister Mikulas Dzurinda, who supported the mission in Iraq with encouraging words and more than 100 Slovakian troops. After a visit from Bush in 2005, Dzurinda blasted the media's portrayal of the situation in Iraq and predicted that it was "only a question of time when people in Slovakia, in Germany, in European countries, will understand more that this activity [the invasion of Iraq] was necessary." But the Slovakian people tossed him from office in a 2006 election, replacing him with a leftist named Robert Fico who called the war "unjust and wrong" and promptly withdrew all but 11 of the country's troops.

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SLOVENIA 4 troops

There is a long list of nations that sent troops to Iraq when it looked like it could be a winning proposition, but pulled out when things started going sour. Slovenia is on the much shorter list of countries that waited until the war was massively unpopular before sending troops. But the Slovenian defense minister made sure that the country's big commitment of four troops through NATO (which it joined in 2004) will be as low-risk as possible, promising reporters that it would be stationed at a "specially protected" training center.

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SOUTH KOREA 1,200 troops, 1 military fatality

Shortly after South Korea announced it was increasing its troop commitment by 3,000, a South Korean civilian in Iraq was kidnapped and brutally murdered by Iraqi insurgents. Before beheading him, the insurgents released a video of the man pleading for his life and begging South Korea to withdraw its troops from Iraq.

But South Korea stuck with their original commitment, motivated by the need to maintain close ties with the U.S., the opportunity to battle-test its military, and the allure of Iraq's abundant natural resources. South Korean imports of Iraqi crude have increased dramatically since 2003; folded into a recent announcement of a $100 million loan to Iraq were not-so-subtle references to its interest in jointly developing oil fields with the Iraqis. Nevertheless, South Korean officials are gradually decreasing the country's troop levels and may submit a plan for full withdrawal to the legislature soon.

UKRAINE troop # unclear

The U.S. reportedly suspended aid to the Ukraine in 2002, because of a secret tape recording in which former Ukrainian President Leonid Kuchma personally approved illegal sales of aircraft detection equipment to the regime of Saddam Hussein. Kuchma's efforts to overcome this controversy probably got a boost when his country supplied one of the largest contingents in Iraq, a 1,650-strong force. Ukraine's sizable support was short-lived, however, and after the 2004 election and the so-called Orange Revolution, newly elected President Viktor Yushchenko followed through on his campaign promise to bring the troops home in 2005. Still, there are a handful of Ukrainian soldiers in Iraq training border police.

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JUMP TO: Albania, Armenia, Australia, Azerbaijan, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Britain, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Denmark, El Salvador, Estonia, Fiji, Georgia, Japan, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Macedonia, Moldova, Mongolia, The Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Singapore

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