Polls & Research

Americans Want Major Changes, Timetable in Iraq

- Many adults in the United States believe their federal administration should establish a date for the end of the coalition effort, according to a poll by CBS News. 57 per cent of respondents think the U.S. should set a timetable for the withdrawal of troops from Iraq.

The coalition effort against Saddam Hussein's regime was launched in March 2003. At least 2,937 American soldiers have died during the military operation, and more than 22,000 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 Dec. 6, the Iraq Study Group—a bipartisan panel of experts—presented its findings on how to deal with the situation in Iraq. The ten members called for a quicker process to train Iraqi forces, engaging with Iran and Syria in a dialogue aimed at stabilizing Iraq, and pulling back U.S. combat troops by early 2008.

Yesterday, U.S. president George W. Bush discussed the current situation, saying, "Part of our successful strategies in parts of Iraq have been based upon 'clear, hold and build.' Well, 'build' means getting projects up and running in key parts of the country, so that people see the benefits of either working with coalition forces, and/or the benefits of supporting a government. And so this is much more than a military operation." 57 per cent of respondents think Bush should make major policy changes in how the Iraq war is handled.

Polling Data

Do you think the United States should or should not set a timetable for the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq?

When it comes to the war in Iraq, do you think George W. Bush should make major changes in U.S. policy, minor changes, or no changes in U.S. policy?