- Many adults in the United States want their government to establish a deadline for the end of the coalition effort, according to a poll by the Pew Research Center for the People and the Press. 56 per cent of respondents think the U.S. should set a timetable for when troops will be withdrawn from Iraq.

The coalition effort against Saddam Hussein's regime was launched in March 2003. At least 2,864 American soldiers have died during the military operation, and more than 21,600 troops have been wounded in action.

In December 2005, Iraqi voters renewed their National Assembly. In May, Shiite United Iraqi Alliance member Nouri al-Maliki officially took over as prime minister.

On Nov. 15, U.S. commander John Abizaid testified before the Senate Armed Services Committee and rejected the concept of a timetable, saying, "We must significantly increase our ability to help the Iraqi army by putting more American troops with Iraqi units in military transition teams. (...) Our troop posture needs to stay where it is."

Democratic Michigan senator Carl Levin disagreed with Abizaid, adding, "The American people do not want our valiant troops to get caught in a crossfire between Iraqis if Iraqis insist on squandering that opportunity through civil war and sectarian strife." 51 per cent of respondents think the U.S. made the wrong decision in using military force against Iraq.

Polling Data

Do you think the U.S. should or should not set a timetable for when troops will be withdrawn from Iraq?

Do you think the U.S. made the right decision or the wrong decision in using military force against Iraq?

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