[kosciuszko]

"It is not clear whether either the French or the Russians, both of whom would be quite pleased to see the United States bog down in Iraq, would refrain from intelligence sharing."

This is something that I've feared for quite some time. If the US and Britain get bogged down in Iraq -- if there are substantial civilian casualties during a drawn out battle for Baghdad -- then Blair will be swept from power, the US will be disgraced, and France wins.

The answer is obvious. They will share whatever they have, if they think they can get away with it.

[Semper Paratus]

the United States will be in charge of Iraq after the war, and the United States will be deciding whether there is a U.N. peacekeeping force and what its role will be. The United States also will decide, with Britain, who gets what contract in Iraq.

You bet!

[TomB]

n a region and a world where power is more important than good intentions, France, Germany and Russia have some maneuvering to do.

The Mother of All Miscalculations