Japan's Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi backed the US from the word go. After President George W. Bush delivered an ultimatum to the Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein to leave the country within 48 hours, Mr Koizumi immediately voiced support for the American decision to use force.

When the war commenced, Mr Koizumi had a telephone conversation with Mr Bush, in which he promised that Japan would play a role in the postwar reconstruction of Iraq.

Mr Koizumi, in an address to the nation, emphasised the importance of the US-Japan security relationship.

Similarly, South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun stressed the importance of his country's alliance with the US when he explained why he had decided to back the US attack on Iraq. Mr Roh, in a nationally televised speech, told his compatriots that he had agonised over the decision, trying to determine 'what best suited our national interests'. In the end, he said, his decision to support the US was inevitable.

One of the strongest backers in Asia of the war is the Philippines, although President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has made it clear that the government will not send troops to support the Americans.

But the Philippines has agreed to make its air space and refueling facilities available to the US. The Philippines is perhaps the only country where there is some evidence of direct Iraqi involvement in terrorist activities.

An Abu Sayyaf leader has said that the group receives money from people close to Mr Hussein.

Thailand, another American ally, reacted much more coolly. Although the US has asked officials in Bangkok to join the 'coalition of the willing', Thailand only agreed to allow American planes use its airspace - a need that is not likely to arise. Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, meanwhile, made it clear that he was against the war. Countries not allied with the US, especially those with large Muslim populations, reacted strongly and negatively to the attack on Iraq.

Indonesia's President Megawati Sukarnoputri was quoted as saying: 'The government and the people of Indonesia strongly criticise the unilateral action by the US and its allies who decided to wage war against Iraq.'

Malaysia's acting prime minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi went on television to condemn the US attack on Iraq, describing the action as a black mark in history.

As soon as the invasion began, China issued strong calls for the immediate cessation of military action against Iraq. The calls were unusually strong, taking the form not only of a foreign ministry statement, but also one issued by the Foreign Affairs Committee of the National People's Congress.

The day after hostilities began, the United States called on more than 60 countries with Iraqi diplomatic missions to expel Iraqi diplomats.

This call, however, was coolly received in Asia, with many countries feeling that their sovereignty was on the line. Even Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Blas Ople, who had strongly supported the legality of the American attack, declined to immediately comply with the US request, saying that only officials in Manila could decide if Iraqi diplomats should be expelled. However, on Tuesday, the government ordered the expulsion of two Iraqi diplomats but did not close down the embassy.

Japan announced on Wednesday that it would not close the Iraqi embassy. Mr Koizumi said there was no need.

Thailand's dilemma over how to respond to the US request was seemingly resolved by Iraq itself. A Thai foreign ministry spokesman said the Iraqi embassy had closed voluntarily a week after Thailand expelled three of its diplomats.

Australia has proven itself the most reliable American ally in the region. Foreign Minister Alexander Downer ordered the expulsion of all Iraqi staff from the embassy in Canberra on March 18, even before Washington issued its request.

When the dust settles, it is likely that the Bush administration will want to reassess its relations with some countries on the basis of their response to the war. Countries that opposed the war, or were lukewarm in their support, may find the US, in turn, lukewarm to their needs in the future.