Iraq, Bush and Australia

Recent polling showing the majority of Australians have lost heart in the war in Iraq suggests the issue will be a prominent one during the 2007 Australian election campaign. The issue's prominence will be fuelled by the probable outcomes from President Bush’s decision to 'surge' US forces: an escalating level of violence and a rising casualty list. Moreover, a range of potential side-effects, including a more adversarial relationship between the US and Iran, may add heat to the debate over Australian engagement.