Polls & Research

Americans Urge for Iraq Withdrawal Timetable

(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Many adults in the United States are convinced that the coalition effort must come to an end, according to a poll by CBS News. 59 per cent of respondents think the U.S. should set a timetable for the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq that would have most soldiers out by September 2008.

The coalition effort against Saddam Hussein's regime was launched in March 2003. At least 3,246 American soldiers have died during the military operation, and more than 24,300 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 Mar. 23, the U.S. House of Representatives voted 218-212 to authorize an emergency supplemental war spending bill, which sets a deadline of Aug. 31, 2008 for the end of the coalition effort in Iraq. On Mar. 29, the U.S. Senate voted 51-47 to pass a separate bill, which calls for all combat troops to be removed from Iraq by Mar. 31, 2008.

Also on Mar. 29, U.S. defence secretary Robert Gates discussed the current state of affairs in Iraq, saying, "I think that what a lot of times people have characterized as broken promises or unfulfilled commitments (on the part of the Iraqi government) is not as much a lack of will as a lack of capacity. That doesn't mean we have to give them unlimited time, and that's why I say I believe the debate (in Washington) has been helpful. But I do think we need to understand the importance of our helping them develop that capacity so they can fulfill their commitments to us."

Polling Data

Do you think the United States should or should not set a timetable for the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq that would have most troops out by September 2008?