Issue Watch

About Angus Reid Global Monitor

The definitive online source for examining worldwide public opinion and democratic processes.

The Global Monitor is a vital source of timely political intelligence for journalists, students, policy makers, and citizens. By merging academic expertise with the highest journalistic standards, we seek to advance research, improve information exchange, and enhance understanding of the changing dynamic of public opinion and democracy.
Read More

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

All fields are required.

Polls & Research

Archive Search


Advanced Search

Many Americans Say Iraq War Cannot Be Won

January 23, 2007

(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Many adults in the United States hold negative feelings about the progress of coalition effort, according to a poll by Zogby Interactive. 53 per cent of respondents believe it is time for a phased withdrawal of troops from Iraq, and 52 per cent think the war in Iraq can never be won.

In addition, 48 per cent of respondents want the U.S. to be much more aggressive in fighting against insurgents, and 45 per cent would enact an immediate withdrawal of troops.

The coalition effort against Saddam Hussein's regime was launched in March 2003. At least 3,055 American soldiers have died during the military operation, and more than 22,900 troops have been wounded in action.

In December 2005, Iraqi voters renewed their National Assembly. In May 2006, Shiite United Iraqi Alliance member Nouri al-Maliki officially took over as prime minister.

On Jan. 10, U.S. president George W. Bush introduced his new course of action for the coalition effort, which includes an increase in U.S. troop levels. Support for keeping U.S. soldiers in Iraq "until the job is done" stands at 32 per cent, while 29 per cent of respondents feel the U.S. cannot last long enough to prevail.

On Jan. 21, Nebraska senator Chuck Hagel—considered as a possible Republican presidential candidate in 2008—said the upper house would review the president's proposal, adding, "There will be amendments. There may be another resolution offered in its place. We need to have that debate. There will be more resolutions, there will be other resolutions. I don't care whose resolution passes."

Polling Data

Options for the War
("Agree" responses listed)

I believe that the U.S. has accomplished all it realistically can,
and to remain longer will not benefit Iraq or American soldiers.
It's time for a phased withdrawal of troops.

53%

America can never win the war in Iraq because the region has
been unstable for too long and the presence of American
soldiers only encourages more people to join the insurgents.
Iraqis should be left to sort out their own future without
American or allied intervention.

52%

America has made a lot of progress in the war, but needs to be
much more aggressive in fighting against insurgents, including
more missiles and heavy artillery, to finish them off

48%

America should not have gotten involved in Iraq, and
American forces are dying every day because of it. Troops
should be withdrawn immediately.

45%

While I am bothered by the continual violence and ongoing
deaths of American soldiers, I believe America is winning the
war against insurgents and that the enemy will eventually be
worn down to the point where they will give up and stop
rebelling. The troop levels are adequate, and the troops
should stay until the job is done.

32%

While I was in favour of the war in the beginning, I now feel
that too many American soldiers have died and I don't see an
end to the insurgent attacks. Therefore, I don't believe that we
can last long enough to prevail, and should be withdrawn on a
phased, but rapid, timetable

29%

Source: Zogby Interactive
Methodology: Online interviews with 5,641 likely American voters, conducted from Jan. 17 to Jan. 19, 2007. Margin of error is 1.3 per cent.