Foreign Minister Alexander Downer has inflamed tension with the Philippines, suggesting it acted like a "marshmallow" and provoking a formal protest from Manila.

The Philippines will demand Australia's ambassador attend a dressing-down today, following similar action by Spain yesterday over Mr Downer's claim that its withdrawal from Iraq had also encouraged terrorists.

No reason to get hurt. Australia is still reeling from the fact that Bush had them sold on the war and finding WMDs. Not that we weren't, and indeed, had Angelo dela Cruz not been hostaged, we might have stayed in Iraq to please our American friends. Whatever the reason, we have now joined the coalition of the unwilling. And that's okay by me. You don't burn the house down to catch a mouse, Mr. Bush.