Iraq

Iraq's closest neighbors gathered Friday in Riyadh to forge a common goal for the post-Saddam Hussein era and push for an immediate withdrawal of coalition troops from the country.

Syria, which has come under U.S. pressure for allegedly harboring members of Saddam's regime and developing chemical weapons, is among the eight countries attending the meeting.

Also at the gathering, hosted by Saudi Arabia, are foreign ministers from Bahrain, Egypt, Iran, Jordan, Kuwait and Turkey.

Democrats appear to be making good on their claim in the 2006 Congressional campaigns that, if elected, they would withdraw U.S. troops in Iraq. They are therefore also promoting (and reflecting) the view that the Iraq war is separate from the war on terror.