Iraq Seen as Weakening
Terror War
Jim Lobe
WASHINGTON, Jul 21 (IPS) - A plurality of the U.S. public now believes that
Iraq war has undermined U.S. prospects for victory in the larger war on
terrorism, but a majority still believe that Washington should not yet begin
withdrawing its troops, according to major new poll released here Thursday
shortly after Britain reported four new bombing incidents in London.
The survey, by the Pew Research Centre for the People and the Press, also
showed, however, that a slight plurality of respondents (49 percent) now believe
that Washington should set a timetable for withdrawal from Iraq, which is
strongly opposed by the administration of U.S. President George W. Bush,
compared to 45 percent who disagree.
After heated debate Wednesday, the Republican-led House of Representatives voted
291-137 in favour of a non-binding resolution opposing ”premature withdrawal” of
U.S. troops from Iraq and declaring that setting a date for withdrawal would
”embolden” terrorists.
The findings of the latest survey, which was conducted Jul. 13-17 among 1,502
adults, were generally consistent with those of a Gallup poll that was released
just before the Jul. 7 London bombings that killed 56 people, suggesting that
the impact of those incidents on public opinion here has not been as great as
might have been expected.
That earlier poll found that a small plurality of respondents had already come
to believe that the war in Iraq had made the U.S. less safe from terrorism. It
also found that only a third of the public (36 percent) believed that the U.S.
and its allies were winning the war on terrorism, while an all-time high of 20
percent of U.S. citizens said the ”terrorists” were winning.
The new poll found that nearly half (47 percent) of the public now believes that
the war in Iraq has actually undermined the war on terrorism, the highest
percentage expressing that view since the war was launched in March 2003.
In addition, it also found a higher percentage of respondents now believe that
the war in Iraq has raised the risk of terrorism in this country. Nearly half of
respondents (45 percent) said they believe that the war has increased the
chances for terrorist attacks in the U.S., up from 36 percent last October.
Currently, only about one in five (22 percent) of citizens were found to agree
with the Bush administration's thesis that the Iraq war has lessened the chances
of terrorist attacks in the U.S.
In addition, an all-time low of just 27 percent of the public -- and an even
lower 23 percent of political independents -- said they believe that Bush has a
plan for bringing the war in Iraq to a successful end. Nearly two-thirds of
respondents (64 percent) now believe that Bush has no clear plan.
The new poll also confirmed Gallup's finding that more U.S. citizens are
sceptical about Bush's handling not only of Iraq, but also terrorism, which has
long been one of the president's main strengths.
Since January, the percentage of respondents who have voiced approval of the way
Bush has handled the situation in Iraq has fallen 10 points -- from 45 percent
to 35 percent. Over the same period, according to the new poll, public
confidence in Bush's handling of the war on terrorism has fallen from a strong
majority of 62 percent to a bare plurality of only 49 percent.
Despite the view that the war in Iraq has, at best, diverted the U.S. from more
effectively prosecuting the war in Iraq, as well as the declining confidence in
Bush's leadership in both wars, public opinion remains remarkably upbeat.
Just over half (52 percent) of respondents said they believe the war is going
”very” or ”fairly well,” as against 44 percent who said they believe it is going
”not too well” or ”not well at all.” That split has been relatively stable since
June last year.
Similarly, a small plurality (49 percent) still believe the decision to resort
to military force in Iraq was correct, compared to 44 percent who believe it was
wrong. That split is largely consistent with findings since last September,
although, earlier this month when violence in Iraq captured more headlines, 53
percent majority told a USA Today/CNN/Gallup poll that they believed the war was
mistake.
The new poll also found that 60 percent of respondents believe that the U.S.
will eventually succeed in establishing a stable government in Iraq, while 33
percent believe that it will not.
Scepticism was considerably higher among self-described Democrats; people aged
50 years or older -- presumably those with a stronger memory of the Vietnam War;
and those who believe that most Iraqis oppose U.S. policies in Iraq than among
self-described Republicans, younger respondents, and those who believe who
believe that most Iraqis support U.S. policies.
On the question of whether and when to withdraw U.S. troops from Iraq, a narrow
majority believes the U.S. should remain until the situation there has ”stabilised,”
while 43 percent favour bringing home troops as soon as possible.
Those who believed that the war in Iraq is going at least fairly well and were
optimistic about successes were more inclined to keep the troops in place, while
those who took the opposite view were more inclined to favour withdrawal. The
survey found a sizable gender gap on this question as well, with women roughly
evenly divided and men -- particularly military veterans -- more inclined to
want the troops to stay.
On the question of setting a timetable for withdrawal, a suggestion that has
gained considerable support over the last several months, the public roughly
evenly split.
A growing number of Democrats and even some Republicans who have argued in
favour of a deadline for withdrawal say they believe the very presence of U.S.
forces in Iraq is acting as a recruitment tool for the insurgency and for al
Qaeda. (END/2005)
Copyright © 2005 IPS-Inter Press Service. All rights reserved.