Politically neutral, historical observation:

Spain is a special case.
The culture and language is a blend of
Roman and Moorish influences.
Their southern neighbors are muslims.

Spain has a tragic history that includes incidents where social, religious, and
cultural changes were forced upon the vanquished by the victors. The classic
example is the expulsion of 1492, when the successful military alliance of
Aragon and Castile drove the Muslim armies from
southern Spain. Following the war, Spain became a "Catholic" country. This was
not accomplished by missionaries proselytizing the community, but by declaring
gypsies, Jews, and Muslims enemies of the state. Tens of thousands
fled the country, forfeiting all property to
Ferdinand and Isabella. Untold thousands more were publicly executed, some by
crucifixion and others by immolation.
All those (except gypsies) who would not flee and who wanted to avoid execution
were allowed to renounce their religion
and embrace Catholicism. It was at this time that the all powerful "Spanish
Inquisition" began....a prototype for religious fascism and abused, dictatorial
powers.

As this is a non-partisan post, I'll allow anybody reading this thread to draw
whatever conclusion they might to choose to draw between Spanish history,
current events in Iraq, and Spain's announced withdrawl from the theater. I do
have a personal opinon, but offering it here would make this a partisan, rather
than a non-partisan message.

Americans look back ot our own history and many evoke heroic images of Iwo
Jima, San Juan Hill, The Alamo, and Lexington/Concord as we debate the pros and
cons of a war. Other nations most assuredly do the same.

Failure to appreciate the historial context from which any nation enters a war
is a failure to understand the enemy, (a most serious problem), or a failure to
understand an ally, (and that can have serious, unexpected consequences as
well). We cannot assume that our allies "adopt" American historical
perspectives when they rally to an American cause.