Polls & Research

Americans Want Paced Iraq Troop Withdrawal

(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Many people in the United States believe their federal government should start planning a paced return of soldiers serving in Iraq, according to a poll by Bloomberg and the Los Angeles Times. 43 per cent of respondents think the troops should start withdrawing early next year, while 25 per cent of respondents favour an immediate pull-out.

The coalition effort against Saddam Hussein's regime was launched in March 2003. At least 3,519 American soldiers have died during the military operation, and more than 25,900 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. 64 per cent of respondents want the U.S. to set benchmarks for political reforms in Iraq, and retain the possibility of withdrawing U.S. troops if the Iraqi government fails to meet the goals.

On May 24, the U.S. House of Representatives voted 280-142 on the Iraq supplemental spending bill, which approves $100 billion U.S. for the military missions in Afghanistan and Iraq. The Senate ratified the measure in an 80-14 vote.

On Jun. 14, Democratic Arkansas senator Mark Pryor said his party should stop trying to set a withdrawal date for the troops in Iraq, adding, "I think we need a broad-based approach to Iraq. I don't know what has changed where a timetable vote would meet any more success than it did last time." 57 per cent of respondents are in favour of setting a timetable for troop withdrawal.

Polling Data

In your opinion, should the United States withdraw troops from Iraq right away, or should the U.S. begin bringing troops home within the next year, or should troops stay in Iraq for as long as it takes to win the war?

Do you support or oppose setting a timetable for withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq?

Do you support or oppose setting benchmarks or goals for political reforms in Iraq, and withdrawing U.S. troops if the Iraqi government fails to meet the goals?