Some occasional allies question his effectiveness.

US officials have tried to underline their commitment to the region, at a time when some allies are questioning Washington's staying power.

You've said repeatedly that if we are not consistent, our allies, and other nations, will question our reliability.

After the war, some allies questioned the practice.

But Republican lawmakers who met with administration officials behind closed doors today said even the president's allies questioned whether the $20.3 billion in reconstruction funds was too generous.

Defending Ms. Pirro, her Republican allies questioned whether local and state Democrats had defrayed any travel or other expenses with their political funds.

Concentrating on his health care plan, Clinton took 17 months to draft a welfare bill, leaving allies and opponents alike to question his commitment.

With some allies questioning what a month of steady bombing has accomplished, the United States could point to a tangible gain on the ground.

Mr. Nader is not the most skillful of campaigners, and even many liberal allies question his ability to move voters.

Mr. Berlusconi's allies nonetheless questioned the results, pushing the voting to a second day and forcing an embarrassing delay.