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Iraq War Blamed for Increased Terrorist Threat
(Angus Reid Global Scan) - Many adults believe the coalition effort has not made the world safer, according to a poll by the Program on International Policy Attitudes released by the BBC World Service. 60 per cent of respondents in 35 countries think the Iraq war has increased the likelihood of terrorist attacks.
The coalition effort against Saddam Hussein's regime was launched in March 2003. At least 2,504 soldiers from 17 countries have died during the military operation. 50 per cent of respondents believe the United States, Britain and their allies should pull their troops out of Iraq in the next few months, while 35 per cent think they should stay in Iraq until it becomes stable.
In the United States, Britain and Australia, at least 56 per cent of respondents support the continuation of the coalition effort. In Italy, Poland and South Korea, less than half of all respondents believe the military intervention should continue.
In Iraq, 49 per cent of respondents favour an early withdrawal of foreign forces, while 49 per cent would like the soldiers to stay until the government is stable.
Polling Data
Do you think that the war in Iraq has increased, decreased, or had no effect on the likelihood of terrorist attacks around the world?
Increased | 60% |
Decreased | 12% |
Had no effect | 15% |
Other / Not sure | 13% |
Do you think the U.S., Britain and their allies should pull their troops out of Iraq in the next few months or that they should stay in Iraq until it becomes stable?
Pull out | 50% |
Stay in Iraq | 35% |
Not sure | 15% |
Source: Program on International Policy Attitudes / BBC World Service
Methodology: Interviews with 41,856 adults in 35 countries, conducted from Oct. 17, 2005, to Feb. 8, 2006. Full details on accompanying report.
