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Iraq Invasion Did Not Protect U.S., Say Americans
(Angus Reid Global Scan) - Many adults in the United States believe the coalition effort did not make their country safer, according to a poll by Harris Interactive. 58 per cent of respondents think the invasion of Iraq has not helped to protect the U.S. from another terrorist attack, up five points since last November.
The coalition effort against Saddam Hussein's regime was launched in March 2003. At least 1,887 American soldiers have died during the military operation, and more than 14,200 troops have been injured.
On Aug. 24 in Idaho, U.S. president George W. Bush called Iraq "one of the most important battlefronts in this war on terror," adding, "The stakes in Iraq could not be higher. The brutal violence in Iraq today is a clear sign of the terrorists' determination to stop democracy from taking root in the Middle East."
Americans also express concern about the effect the war is having on their country's image abroad. 68 per cent of respondents think the coalition effort and recent events in Iraq have made the U.S. less respected around the world.
Polling Data
Do you think the invasion of Iraq has helped to protect the United States from another terrorist attack or not?
Aug. 2005 | Nov. 2004 | |
Has helped | 38% | 46% |
Has not helped | 58% | 53% |
Not sure | 4% | 1% |
Do you think the invasion of Iraq, and recent events in Iraq, have made the United States much more respected, somewhat more respected, somewhat less respected, or much less respected around the world?
Aug. 2005 | Jun. 2004 | |
Much more respected | 9% | 12% |
Somewhat more respected | 18% | 21% |
Somewhat less respected | 36% | 32% |
Much less respected | 32% | 30% |
Not sure / Refused | 4% | 5% |
Source: Harris Interactive
Methodology: Telephone interviews with 1,217 American adults, conducted from Aug. 9 to Aug. 16, 2005. Margin of error is 3 per cent.