The Japanese Model in Iraq

Japan will be keeping its 550 troops in Iraq for another year. They are positioned in a relatively peaceful area in Southern Iraq and are involved in reconstruction projects. (Interestingly and more related to the Korea/China threat than Iraq, Japan is revamping its pacifistic defense guidelines to bring them more in line with 21st century realities. here)

The MSM belittle the involvement of coalition partners like Japan because their troops aren't engaged in firefights. As the LA Times put it, "... the Japanese decision also underscores the degree to which most of the remaining allies are there in little more than name only." (here)

Let's break down "in name only."

• The Japanese have the guts to stand by a country that's doing the right thing instead of mindlessly following the French.
• The Japanese soldiers are at risk to a much greater degree than they would be at home, and they and their government are willing to accept this because they see the good behind the cause.
• They are contributing to the positive rebuilding of Iraq by building water systems and doing other infrastructure work, which is more than can be said of critic nations who should put up or shut up.
• Every Japanese soldier in southern Iraq makes it possible for one more U.S. or now British soldier to be in northern Iraq.

Yup, it's that media bias rearing its ugly head again.