We are still in a war in Iraq.
Now HoWARd is sending more of our military because, well, Tony and Junichiro asked him.

In defense of his decision, HoWARd said:

"Al Muthanna was one of the safer parts of Iraq and was far less dangerous than areas around Baghdad and further north. It’s remained relatively benign, it’s a lot better and this is a much safer part of Iraq than the Sunni triangle."

"The government believes that Iraq is very much at a tilting point and it’s very important that the opportunity of democracy, not only in Iraq, but also in other parts of the Middle East, be seized and consolidated."

"This has not been, is not and will not be an easy decision for the Government. I know it will be unpopular with many. I ask those people to take into account the reasons that I have given. I believe this is the right decision. It will make a significant contribution to the coalition effort."

"Self-evidently we would have liked the major combat to have gone differently … [but] coalition withdrawal or defeat is unimaginable. The coalition must stay in Iraq if the country is to make a successful transition to democracy."

Kim, Andrew and Bob are not supportive of this latest commitment of 450 extra military personnel and
neither am I.