[Overlord]

I think there is a difference between a friend and a lap dog. I think Britain agreed with us about overthrowing Sadaam and disagreed about post war planning or troop levels. But Britain has mostly refocused on Afghanistan and more stable parts of southern Iraq, so I think its clear that reflects they acted as an ally rather than a patsy. I'm not sure they screwed up the parts they were responsible for, and so I don't think we should hold them responsible (though I think Gates may be right that we need smarter thinking in Helmand about counterinsurgency fighting).


We are clearly a more powerful country than Britain. But I don't think its fair to say that means they are a lap dog, or we treat them that way.