Grunherz-
C'mon, that's way oversimplifying things. Sure, we helped restore France as a sovereign nation, but we didn't do it alone (not even close!). And truthfully, but for a brilliant flanking maneuver and a lack of cooperation between the Brits and the French those six weeks might have been completely different. Immaterial, anyway.
Does France have the right to pursue whatever course it chooses? Of course, just as we do. If France decides to conduct war on another country, are we bound to join in? No. The fact is, had we not been attacked on 9/11 we would not be attacking the al Queda even now- the political pressure against it would be overwhelming. Do you think there is any less political pressure from the populace in France? In Britain or Canada, for that matter?
Fact is, these types of unions are always tenuous, especially if a populace cannot see a direct threat to their way of life. Absent such a threat, the unions always balance on the edge of the knife. That's world politics; how do you get what you need from other countries in a way that doesn't created chaos and discord in their countries?
I don't look at any country pulling out of the war on terrorism as betrayal; in fact, I see the inevitability of such events. What I see is the need to hurt the al Queda as much as possible while we can, and keep them under a watchful eye afterwards. When we feel the threat is high, we go back in, help or no.
