'Standing firm' can only make things worse - we must withdraw our troops

The greatest act of leadership is not to plough on relentlessly with a policy that is manifestly not achieving its objectives. Leadership means looking for better ways of achieving a stable, non-dictatorial Iraq and a reduction in the worldwide threat of random acts of violence.

This implies four things. First, a recognition that (whatever the weaknesses of the United Nations) it was rash to flout the UN's authority in pushing ahead with the invasion without waiting for the conclusion of weapons inspections. The UN must now be brought back into the process.

Second, countries such as France and Germany (however mixed their motives) were right to question the wisdom of the invasion. They are now in a position to play a practical role in devising alternatives to the present disaster.

Third, it should be recognised that long-term peace in Iraq can only be achieved through co-operation and consultation with Iraq's neighbours.

And fourth, to strengthen their ability to play a constructive role in a new approach to the Iraq problem, US allies such as Australia and Japan should announce a plan for the withdrawal of their troops. Their military presence in Iraq is increasing the number of targets for terrorism, destabilising international relations in our own Asia-Pacific region, and (in the present chaos) failing to make Iraq a more peaceful country.

In place of their military involvement, Australia and Japan should co-operate with other countries of our region to find a path out of the Iraq quagmire.