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Iraq War Going “Badly” for Most Americans
(Angus Reid Global Scan) - Many adults in the United States believe the coalition effort in Iraq is proceeding ineffectively, according to a poll by CBS News. 57 per cent of respondents believe things are going badly for the U.S. in its efforts to bring stability and order to Iraq, a 10 per cent increase since February.
The coalition effort against Saddam Hussein's regime was launched in March 2003. At least 1,648 American soldiers have died during the military operation, and more than 12,500 troops have been injured.
Iraqi voters elected a transitional legislative branch in January. On May 3, the new administration headed by prime minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari was sworn in. Since the new government was announced on Apr. 28, more than 620 people have been killed in a variety of attacks.
Yesterday, Iraqi foreign minister Hoshyar Zebari urged the United Nations (UN) to renew the coalition's mandate "until Iraq can provide for its security needs on its own."
Americans remain divided over their government's decision to launch military action against Iraq. 49 per cent of respondents say the U.S. should have stayed out, while 47 per cent believe the war was the right thing to do.
Polling Data
How would you say things are going for the U.S. in its efforts to bring stability and order to Iraq? Would you say things are going very well, somewhat well, somewhat badly, or very badly?
May 2005 | Apr. 2005 | Feb. 2005 | |
Very well | 5% | 7% | 10% |
Somewhat well | 36% | 41% | 43% |
Somewhat badly | 31% | 32% | 29% |
Very badly | 26% | 18% | 18% |
Looking back, do you think the United States did the right thing in taking military action against Iraq, or should the U.S. have stayed out?
May 2005 | Apr. 2005 | Feb. 2005 | |
Right thing | 47% | 47% | 46% |
Stay out | 49% | 48% | 50% |
Don't know | 4% | 5% | 4% |
Source: CBS News
Methodology: Telephone interviews to 1,150 American adults, conducted from May 20 to May 24, 2005. Margin of error is 3 per cent.