Opinion: Associated Press Classifies Britain, Other Nations as Defectors

With Prime Minister Gordon Brown announcing the halving of British forces in southern Iraq, the Associated Press has taken to accusing nations withdrawing forces from the Middle East and Iraq as "defectors", and has laid accusations tantamount to accusing Britain and other nations of treachery. Announcing that the alliance is "crumbling, and fast," author William J. Kole goes on to explain that Britain is not the only "defector", but goes on to use the label on Denmark.

Kole offers props to the notion that, indeed, nations outside of the United States and to a lesser extent, Britain, have not seen combat roles in some time - and fulfill administrative duties best suited for and taken over by the Iraqi Army - but at several times makes mention that nations who withdraw forces are "withering" the Coalition down.

Kole remains far from partisan however - as although it classifies American allies who served in Iraq as defectors and accuses them of treachery, he remains starkly critical of the conflict in Iraq. Reports from the Associated Press in the article continue to assure that the war is "unpopular" and was "waged for the wrong reasons".

With the sacrifices made by British forces in the region, it seems almost inflammatory to accuse British forces of "defecting" from the Coalition. The declaration that America's allies are traitors and defectors comes amid a series of astounding progresses in Iraq that give it the opportunity to take on a more independent role in government. With sectarian violence down and every indicator suggesting that the dubiously named "Surge" has shown remarkable progress, international jobs are routinely being assigned to local forces, creating a lack of need for the international coalition.

Especially since American forces now do a majority of the fighting against insurgents and al-Qaeda terrorists in the nation.

Even as Brown, who has become increasingly unpopular and criticized for his mishandling of the aftermath of the London and Glasgow attacks and soft line response to terror in the nation, announces his phased withdrawal plan, he continues to note the progress made in the nation, affirming that it is now up to the Iraqis to do their parts.

Unfortunately, even with such honorable intentions, the American media, spearheaded by the Associated Press, opts to accuse such thoughts as "defection" - a term used to describe those such as Benedict Arnold who abandon their cause for the benefits of the enemy.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071009/ap_on_re_mi_ea/iraq_crumbling_coalition