Polls & Research
Archive Search
Iraq War Increased Terror Risk, Say Americans
(Angus Reid Global Scan) - Many adults in the United States think their country has not become more secure because of the coalition effort, according to a poll by Gallup released by CNN and USA Today. 57 per cent of respondents believe the war in Iraq has made the U.S. less safe from terrorism, up 18 points since June.
The coalition effort against Saddam Hussein's regime was launched in March 2003. At least 1,841 American soldiers have died during the military operation, and more than 13,700 troops have been injured.
In October 2002, U.S. president George W. Bush considered disarming Iraq "a part on the war on terror." 42 per cent of respondents believe the war with Iraq will make the U.S. safer from terrorism in the long run, while 48 per cent disagree.
Yesterday in Texas, Bush ruled out removing American soldiers from Iraq, saying, "I just strongly disagree. Pulling the troops out would send a terrible signal to the enemy. Immediate withdrawal would say to the terrorists of the world (that) the United States is weak; and all we've got to do is intimidate and they'll leave."
Polling Data
Do you think the war with Iraq has made the U.S. safer—or less safe—from terrorism?
Aug. 2005 | Jul. 2005 | Jun. 2005 | |
Safer | 34% | 40% | 44% |
Less safe | 57% | 54% | 39% |
No change | 6% | 5% | 13% |
No opinion | 3% | 1% | 4% |
Do you think the war with Iraq will make the U.S. safer—or less safe—from terrorism in the long run?
Safer | 42% |
Less safe | 48% |
No change | 8% |
No opinion | 2% |
Source: Gallup / CNN / USA Today
Methodology: Telephone interviews to 481 American adults (First Question) and 523 American adults (Second Question), conducted from Aug. 5 to Aug. 7, 2005. Margin of error is 4 per cent.
