Signs of discord between U.S., UK
By Robin Oakley
CNN European Political Editor
LONDON, England (CNN) -- When British Prime Minister Tony Blair and U.S. President George W. Bush met in November, the coalition of the willing in Iraq was solid.
Now a spate of kidnappings and attacks has diplomats inquiring if the country is spiraling out of control.
There are signs even Washington and London disagree over how hard to go after the insurgents and what to do about Fallujah.
"There's a general sense I think at least in the British Foreign Office and the British military that the U.S. tactics have been too heavy-handed and may be responsible for some of what we're seeing," says Dana Allin of the International Institute for Strategic Studies.
Blair already has insisted he'll stay the course in Iraq. Ministers indicate he'll commit more troops if necessary. But in a mire of troubles at home, Blair knows that being seen schmoozing with Bush isn't going to help him any.
"Every time they appear together it has a negative effect on Tony Blair. It's one of those things. The British people are completely turned off by George Bush," says Nadhim Zahawi of YouGov Polls.
Time then for the U.S. president's greatest ally to start detaching himself? British commentators still doubt it.
"Were he now to do so, he would forfeit all credibility. If he now said 'Er, I'm not sure I was right to do what I've done,' I think people would turn on him. He's set his hand to this particular plough, he's got to complete the furrow," says Bruce Anderson, columnist for The Independent newspaper.
And though pollsters say Iraq has cost Blair the voters' trust over the reasons he gave for going to war, they don't seem to be clamoring for the UK to pull out of Iraq.
"Only 21 percent think we should withdraw troops immediately, and 73 percent think we should keep them for at least a year if not longer until the job is done," says Zahawi.
Blair and Bush, diplomats agree, are locked into this together. They can be expected to stand firm.
But while Blair, who is more popular in the U.S. than in the UK, might bring Bush some help with his voters, it seems unlikely the U.S. president will be able to return the favor.
