In an effort to display a show of international support for the war, the Bush Administration yesterday listed 30 countries that are publicly backing a U.S.invasion.

The list includes Britain, Spain and Australia, as well as Turkey, Afghanistan, South Korea, Japan, Colombia, Italy and others.

Of these nations, only two, Britain and Australia plan to supply troops.

The Washington Post reports that some of the countries were surprised by their inclusion. A senior diplomat at Colombia’s embassy was unaware that his nation had been listed.

Turkey has voted against allowing US troops to be deployed there.

95% of the Spanish population is against a US invasion of Iraq, despite its government’s support.

The list includes no governments in the Arab world.

Texas Democrat Lloyd Doggett criticized the so-called coalition: He said “the posse announced today is mighty weak. It includes such military powerhouses as Eritrea and Estonia and pariahs like Uzbekistan with a human rights record as difficult to defend as Saddam Hussein’s.” The Congressman added, “This list is an embarrassing indication of the administration’s foreign policy failure.”

Meanwhile, protests against the war are intensifying. We thought we’d hold a cross-continental discussion.

• Paola, an organizer with “Fermiamolaguerra,” a national and international coalition to stop the war in Genoa, Italy.
• Michael Sachs, Head of policy and research with the African National Congress in South Africa and is an organizer for the Stop the War Campaign in Johannesburg.
• Mohammad Tahseen, Executive director with the South Asia Partnership Pakistan, an NGO in Lahore which is coordinating a secular anti-war movement in the region.
• George Monbiot, columnist with the Guardian of London.

Related link:

• George Monbiot