British-US tie loosens over Iraq

Britain's postcolonial heritage has theoretically equipped it well to dealing with situations like Iraq. A hostile local populace, a power vacuum, economic shambles, inexperienced local law enforcement bodies: British troops have seen it all before in the ruins of empire, and its military forces have long since been drilled in dealing with such situations, says Colonel Langton.

The Americans meanwhile "don't train to any great degree in low-intensity operations like peacekeeping and peace enforcement," Langton says. "All those aspects are practiced by the British.... It is quite fortunate that the British are not actually fighting alongside the Americans because they would find it very difficult to agree" with their tactics.

Historical differences mean that Britain and America view the Iraqi turmoil from different standpoints, argues Daniel Neep, a regional expert. The British feel they have experience in nation-building, while the Americans worry that the British may be making some of the same old mistakes of the past, like misjudging local moods.

"Obviously there are diverging opinions between US and British policymakers, but this is to do with different historical experiences," says Mr. Neep, of the Royal United Services Institute. He also noted a feeling within the US camp, revealed by an official in a British newspaper interview, that suggested the British might be using its foothold in southern Iraq to pursue reconciliation with neighboring Iran.

"That's inevitable because the British have better relations with Iranians than the Americans," says Neep, "and because they are more exposed to them in the south." An Iranian delegation arrived in Baghdad Wednesday, to mediate between the Americans and rebel Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr in Najaf, reportedly at Britain's suggestion.

Blair scheduled a stop-off in New York en route to Washington to discuss with UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan the possibility of enhanced UN involvement in Iraq's transition.

But British officials fear that the mayhem in Iraq will scarcely encourage other countries to come forward with troops for what would be a dangerous and politically sensitive mission. Several countries already in the coalition are feeling the heat as their troops are targeted and their judgment in joining the Iraq campaign called into question.

The US will be reluctant meanwhile to cede authority to any UN-mandated force; the UN will be chary of involvement unless it has authority. Blair once again is cast in the role of broker.

"The US would look for any assistance it can get, but the question is the degree of power it would have to yield to other entities" like the UN, says Neep. "There certainly won't be any reduction of US troops, and US military commanders will remain in control."

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