Well, at least we have one other ally left from the Cold War.

The Japanese government is apparently set to announce that they'll be with us, regardless of what the UN or old Europe do. I think that a nuclear and missile-armed DPRK has gotten their attention. I suspect that this is an "domo arigato" for redeploying the Kitty Hawk to the Sea of Japan.

Oh, and they want all of their citizens out of Iraq by Wednesday.

Funny you should bring this up (the part about withdrawing citizens from Iraq). I was making some travel arrangements online this afternoon, and among the messages was a travel alert, issued 1/24/03, noting that all embassies have been ordered to make plans for the withdrawal of U.S. citizens and staff dependents in the event of war or other disruption.

Now, this could just be a routine "Be sure you have a written evacuation plan filed away somewhere, just 'cause you never know..." reminder. But it had something of an urgent tone to it that caught my attention.

Just checked the State Department's travel warnings website, but it so far lists nothing issued 1/24/03.

Yes, that State Department warning did go out yesterday or today.

I think that it's less than two weeks until the balloon goes up.