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

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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Ukraine