LONDON -- For anyone with a sense of history, it is impossible not to admire the tireless conviction and the lonely valor of British Prime Minister Tony Blair.
His argument for the use of force against Iraq seems to switch about constantly. He has failed to convince millions of protest marchers, the leaders of the Anglican Church, the bulk of his own political party, his largest European partners including the wily French President Jacques Chirac, the pope and most of West European public opinion.
But there is something remarkable about his support of U.S. President George W. Bush and his iron determination to maintain it; it seems to come from another age. There is no doubt that even the most hawkish Americans would hesitate to go it alone if the British commitment faltered. All semblance of an international coalition would be lost.