(CPOD) Mar. 10, 2004 – Americans remain worried about possible attacks, according to a poll by Gallup released by CNN and USA Today. 82 per cent of respondents say international terrorism is a “critical” threat to their country.
(CPOD) Mar. 10, 2004 – Americans remain worried about possible attacks, according to a poll by Gallup released by CNN and USA Today. 82 per cent of respondents say international terrorism is a “critical” threat to their country.
Afghanistan has been the main battleground in the war on terrorism. The conflict began in October 2001, after the Taliban regime refused to hand over Osama bin Laden, prime suspect in the 9/11 terrorist attacks in New York and Washington. Al-Qaeda operatives hijacked and crashed four airplanes on Sept. 11, 2001, killing nearly 3,000 people.
The spread of weapons of mass destruction to unfriendly powers was mentioned by 75 per cent of respondents as a “critical” threat. The only other topics to merit more than 50 per cent of all mentions were the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians, Islamic fundamentalism and the large number of immigrants entering the United States.
Polling Data
I am going to read you a list of possible threats to the vital interest of the United States in the next 10 years. For each one, please tell me if you see this as a critical threat, an important but not critical threat, or not an important threat at all.
Critical | Important | ==Total== | |
International terrorism | 82% | 16% | ==98%== |
The spread of weapons | 75% | 20% | ==95%== |
The conflict between Israel | 58% | 32% | ==90%== |
Islamic fundamentalism | 51% | 31% | ==82%== |
Large numbers of immigrants | 50% | 35% | ==85%== |
North Korea / South Korea conflict | 48% | 38% | ==86%== |
Economic competition from | 46% | 37% | ==83%== |
The military power of China | 39% | 46% | ==85%== |
India / Pakistan conflict | 32% | 52% | ==84%== |
China / Taiwan conflict | 23% | 51% | ==74%== |
The military power of Russia | 18% | 50% | ==68%== |
Source: Gallup / CNN / USA Today
Methodology: Interviews to 1,002 American adults, conducted from Feb. 9 to Feb. 12, 2004. Margin of error is 3 per cent.
