(Angus Reid Global Monitor) – Many adults in the United States believe their government should implement an exit strategy in Iraq, according to a poll by Bloomberg and the Los Angeles Times. 43 per cent of respondents want the U.S. to begin bringing troops home within the next year, and 20 per cent call for an immediate withdrawal.
(Angus Reid Global Monitor) – Many adults in the United States believe their government should implement an exit strategy in Iraq, according to a poll by Bloomberg and the Los Angeles Times. 43 per cent of respondents want the U.S. to begin bringing troops home within the next year, and 20 per cent call for an immediate withdrawal.
Conversely, 31 per cent of respondents want U.S. soldiers to stay in Iraq for as long as it takes to win the war.
The coalition effort against Saddam Hussein’s regime was launched in March 2003. At least 3,931 American soldiers have died during the military operation, and 29,000 troops have been wounded in action.
In December 2005, Iraqi voters renewed their National Assembly. In May 2006, Shiite United Iraqi Alliance member Nouri al-Maliki officially took over as prime minister.
In September 2007, commander of the Multi-National Force – Iraq David Petraeus and U.S. ambassador in Iraq Ryan Crocker provided a comprehensive assessment of the situation in Iraq to the U.S. Congress. In addition, U.S. president George W. Bush said U.S. forces in Iraq would be reduced by 5,700 troops in December, and announced the possibility of a further decrease in July 2008.
On Jan. 8, Bush discussed the current state of affairs, saying, "Violence across the country continues to decrease. Tens of thousands of Iraqis have stepped forward to join Concerned Local Citizens groups that are fighting al-Qaeda and other extremists. And as the security improves, life is returning to normal in communities across Iraq, with children back in school and shops reopening and markets bustling with commerce. (…) I don’t think most Americans know this, but one Army brigade and one Marine expeditionary unit have come home—and will not be replaced. And in the coming months, four additional brigades and two Marine battalions will follow suit."
Polling Data
In your opinion, should the United States withdraw troops from Iraq right away, or should the U.S. begin bringing troops home within the next year, or should troops stay in Iraq for as long as it takes to win the war?
|
Jan. 2008 |
Jun. 2007 |
Jan. 2007 |
|
|
Withdraw right away |
20% |
25% |
19% |
|
Withdraw within next year |
43% |
43% |
46% |
|
Stay as long as it takes |
31% |
26% |
30% |
|
Unsure |
6% |
6% |
5% |
Source: Bloomberg / Los Angeles Times
Methodology: Telephone interviews with 1,312 registered American voters, conducted from Jan. 18 to Jan. 22, 2008. Margin of error is 3 per cent.
