WI: Large number of foreign troops go to Iraq post 2003 invasion

Ak-84

Banned
In OTL the Bush administration had some success in convincing some countries to pledge troops to post War Iraq.
When it turned out that it was the shitshow it was everybody backed out.

Still, India had alerted one of its divisions that it might have to deploy and Pakistan military formations got as far as early training before it got cancelled. Saudis and Egyptians were also ready.

Let’s say that the deployments happen, let’s say the POD is an insurgency not blowing up till mid 2004, how does that change things.
 
Let’s say that the deployments happen, let’s say the POD is an insurgency not blowing up till mid 2004, how does that change things.

You need an earlier POD, such as Iraq actually having WMDs...
Because quite a lot of countries were skeptical over Iraq having them in the first place beforehand...
That's why there was so much opposition to the invasion...
 
Hold off until 2004, give at least the illusion of trying to find a diplomatic solution to the matter. I doubt you would see a massive number of other countries involved, but one or two might offer token support. Maybe one or two other odd countries that did support operations in OTL might be able to do a bit more if they had more time to prepare or if the US at least pretended to lay the diplomatic groundwork out better. OTL, Spain sent 1,300 troops after the invasion, but withdrew them after the Madrid train bombings. Depending on if the bombings occur or other factors, maybe they could round it up to an even 2,000 or 1,500.

Italy had 3000 or 3500 troops after the invasion, maybe this could be raised to 4000 or 4500.

Poland was the only other country aside from the US, Britain, and Australia to not only keep troops in country after the invasion, but they had around 200 personnel that directly deployed during the invasion. Later the maintained a sizable brigade of roughly 2,500 for several years. Have them deploy this larger brigade sized force from the very beginning.
 

Ak-84

Banned
You need an earlier POD, such as Iraq actually having WMDs...
Because quite a lot of countries were skeptical over Iraq having them in the first place beforehand...
That's why there was so much opposition to the invasion...
There was opposition to the invasion, but it was seen as a faith accompli by most countries who were positioning to see get maximim benefit out of it.
Remember 2003 is the height of Pax Americana. Its a true unipolar world as opposed to the multi-polar one before and after.
 
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