(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Many adults in the United States are disappointed with their government’s decision to launch the coalition effort, according to a poll by the Pew Research Center for the People and the Press. 55 per cent of respondents believe the U.S. made the wrong call in using military force against Iraq, down two points since April.

In addition, 52 per cent of respondents think the U.S. should bring its soldiers home as soon as possible, while 43 per cent would keep military troops in Iraq until the situation has stabilized.

The coalition effort against Saddam Hussein’s regime was launched in March 2003. At least 4,118 American soldiers have died during the military operation, and more than 30,300 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.

In September 2007, commander of the Multi-National Force - Iraq David Petraeus and U.S. ambassador in Iraq Ryan Crocker provided a comprehensive assessment of the situation in Iraq to the U.S. Congress. In addition, U.S. president George W. Bush said U.S. forces in Iraq would be reduced by 5,700 troops in December. After July 2008, all troop withdrawals from Iraq will be suspended.

The U.S. and Iraqi governments are hoping to finalize an agreement this year, which would establish a "security relationship" that would provide a legal basis for the presence of U.S. soldiers in Iraq.

Yesterday, Iraqi government spokesman Ali al-Dabbagh discussed the situation, saying, "There is a large possibility of postponing the signing of the long-term agreement between Iraq and the U.S., until a new U.S. administration is elected."

Bush is ineligible for a third term in office. The U.S. presidential election is scheduled for Nov. 4.

Polling Data

Do you think the U.S. made the right decision or the wrong decision in using military force against Iraq?

Do you think the U.S. should keep military troops in Iraq until the situation has stabilized, or do you think the U.S. should bring its troops home as soon as possible?

Source: Pew Research Center for the People and the Press
Methodology: Telephone interviews with 2,004 American adults, conducted from Jun. 18 to Jun. 29, 2008. Margin of error is 3 per cent.

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