The folks behind MoveOn and GetUp have been working for a while on a global equivalent for "rapid response" citizen mobilisation, and Bush's move to deploy more troops in Iraq spurred them to launch a few weeks earlier than planned. So now we have Avaaz.org, "the world in action", and the chance to sign a petition that will run as an ad in US papers asking the US Congress to block further escalation in Iraq.

I'm sure we'll see a quick expansion of Avaaz into more languages and countries, with hopefully soon a new way for millions of people to express their concerns and put pressure on decision makers at key moments. Avaaz will become a new voice on global issues such as climate change and peace and conflict in the Middle East.