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Iraq War Made U.S. Vulnerable, Say Americans
(Angus Reid Global Scan) - Many adults in the United States think the coalition effort did not make their country more secure, according to a poll by Scripps Howard News Service released by Ohio University. 49 per cent of respondents believe the U.S. is less safe from a terrorist attack today because of the military action in Iraq.
The coalition effort against Saddam Hussein's regime was launched in March 2003. At least 1,771 American soldiers have died during the military operation, and more than 13,500 troops have been injured.
In October 2002, U.S. president George W. Bush considered disarming Iraq "a part on the war on terror." On Jul. 11, Bush explained his rationale, saying, "We have a comprehensive strategy in place. We're working to protect the homeland. We're working to improve our intelligence so we can uncover terrorist plots before they unfold. And we're staying on the offensive. We're fighting the enemy in Iraq and Afghanistan and across the world so we do not have to face them here at home."
On Jul. 21 in Washington, U.S. vice-president Dick Cheney said the government "cannot predict the length or the course of the war on terror," adding, "We have no illusions about the difficulty of engaging enemies that dwell in the shadows, target the innocent, and recognize neither the laws of warfare, nor standards of morality."
Polling Data
Do you believe the nation is safer from a terrorist attack today because of our military action in Iraq?
|
Safer |
36% |
|
Less safe |
49% |
|
Other |
6% |
|
Undecided |
9% |
Source: Scripps Howard News Service / Ohio University
Methodology: Telephone interviews to 1,016 American adults, conducted from Jul. 5 to Jul. 19, 2005. Margin of error is 4 per cent.