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U.S. Cannot Stop Iraq Civil War, Say Americans

August 14, 2006

- Many adults in the United States believe their country will be unable to prevent sectarian violence in Iraq, according to a poll by Opinion Dynamics released by Fox News. 67 per cent of respondents think the U.S. will not stop the situation from becoming a civil war.

The coalition effort against Saddam Hussein's regime was launched in March 2003. At least 2,592 American soldiers have died during the military operation, and more than 19,300 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 Aug. 7, U.S. president George W. Bush discussed the situation, saying, "No question it's still difficult. On the other hand, the political process is part of helping to achieve our objective, which is a free country, an ally in the war on terror that can sustain itself and govern itself and defend itself." 58 per cent of respondents believe the U.S. should pull out all of its troops from Iraq before the end of 2007.

Polling Data

Do you think the United States can prevent the violence in Iraq from becoming a civil war?

Yes

18%

No

67%

Already a civil war

3%

Don't know

12%

Thinking about the situation in Iraq, do you think the United States should...

Pull out all troops by year-end

27%

Pull out all troops gradually over the next year

31%

Pull out after Iraqi troops are capable of
taking over, even if it takes years

33%

Send more troops

4%

Don't know

5%

Source: Opinion Dynamics / Fox News
Methodology: Telephone interviews with 900 registered American voters, conducted on Aug. 8 and Aug. 9, 2006. Margin of error is 3 per cent.