Polls & Research

Americans Think Wars Are Creating More Terrorists

- Many adults in the United States believe their government's policies are having a negative effect, according to a poll by CBS News. 54 per cent of respondents believe the Bush administration's involvement in Iraq and Afghanistan is creating more terrorists who are planning to attack.

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.

At least 466 soldiers—including 329 Americans—have died in the war on terrorism, either in support of the U.S.-led Operation Enduring Freedom or as part of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) led by the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). 35 per cent of respondents think the threat of terrorism against the U.S. has increased as a result of U.S. military action against Afghanistan.

The coalition effort against Saddam Hussein's regime in Iraq was launched in March 2003. At least 2,663 American soldiers have died during the military operation, and more than 19,900 troops have been wounded in action. 48 per cent of respondents think the threat of terrorism against the U.S. has increased as a result of U.S. military action against Iraq.

Yesterday, U.S. president George W. Bush discussed the current state of affairs, saying, "In Afghanistan, president (Hamid) Karzai's elected government is fighting our common enemies. In showing the courage he's showing, he's inspired millions across the region. In Iraq, prime minister (Nouri) al-Maliki's unity government is fighting al-Qaeda and the enemies of Iraq's democracy. They're taking increasing responsibility for the security of their free country."

Polling Data

Right now, is the U.S. involvement in Iraq and Afghanistan creating more terrorists who are planning to attack the U.S., eliminating terrorists who were planning to attack the U.S., or is the U.S. involvement in Iraq and Afghanistan not affecting the number of terrorists planning to attack the U.S.?

As a result of U.S. military action against Afghanistan, do you think the threat of terrorism against the United States has increased, decreased, or stayed about the same?

As a result of the United States' military action against Iraq, do you think the threat of terrorism against the United States has increased, decreased, or stayed about the same?