What do John Howard, George Bush and Tony Blair have in common?

Wondering why John Howard continues increasing Australia's military presence in Iraq despite 2/3 of the country wanting either an exit strategy or immediate withdrawal? This when he has a tough election coming up?

Sound familiar?

Much has been made of Blair sharing Bush's religious zeal. I wondered whether there might be a common thread in Howard, and in his own words:

My belief in the centrality of the family, my very strong belief in private business enterprise, my very strong belief in the I think the stabilising influence of the Judaeo-Christian ethic in this country. Those beliefs haven’t changed at all. And you can find at every point of my time as Prime Minister a re-affirmation of those things

Sound familiar?