Polls & Research

Iraq Support Caused London Attack, Say Americans

(Angus Reid Global Scan) - Many adults in the United States believe London was targeted by terrorists because of Britain's participation in the coalition effort, according to a flash poll by Gallup released by CNN. 56 per cent of respondents believe the attack took place mostly because the European nation backed the war in Iraq.

On Jul. 7, four blasts in London killed at least 52 people and injured 700 more in an apparent terrorist attack. Investigators say the explosions at three underground stations occurred "almost simultaneously," suggesting that timing devices may have been used. A fourth bomb exploded inside a double-decker bus. 64 per cent of respondents consider the attack a major setback in the global effort against terrorism.

On Jul. 9 in a BBC Radio 4 interview, British prime minister Tony Blair rejected suggestions that the attacks were a response to Britain's presence in Iraq, saying, "September the 11th happened before Iraq, before Afghanistan, before any of these issues, and that was the worst terrorist atrocity of all. (...) I think this type of terrorism has very deep roots. It's only when you start to pull it out by the roots that you would deal with it."

In his weekly radio address, U.S. president George W. Bush urged Americans to "remain alert, and to report any suspicious activity to your local authorities." 41 per cent of respondents believe the London blasts represent the beginning of a sustained terrorist campaign against the U.S. and its allies.

Polling Data

Just your best guess, do you think the terrorists attacked London today mostly because Great Britain supports the United States in the war in Iraq, or mostly for other reasons?

Which comes closest to your view of today's terrorist attacks in London: they are a major setback that indicates that the terrorists are winning the war on terrorism; they are a major setback, but do not indicate that the terrorists are winning the war on terrorism; or they are a minor setback that does not have any long-term significance in the war on terrorism?

Do you think today's attacks do—or do not—represent the beginning of a sustained terrorist campaign against the United States and its allies that will continue for the next several weeks?