Polls & Research

Troops Should Leave Iraq Soon, Say Americans

(Angus Reid Global Scan) - Many adults in the United States believe it is time for the coalition effort to end, according to a poll by CBS News. 59 per cent of respondents believe U.S. troops should leave Iraq as soon as possible, even if the country is not completely stable.

The coalition effort against Saddam Hussein's regime was launched in March 2003. At least 1,965 American soldiers have died during the military operation, and more than 14,300 troops have been injured.

Iraqis are set to ratify their new constitution in a nationwide referendum scheduled for Oct. 15. A new legislative election will take place in December.

On Oct. 6, U.S. president George W. Bush discussed the war on terrorism, saying, "Some have argued that extremism has been strengthened by the actions of our coalition in Iraq, claiming that our presence in that country has somehow caused or triggered the rage of radicals. I would remind them that we were not in Iraq on September the 11th, 2001—and al-Qaeda attacked us anyway. The hatred of the radicals existed before Iraq was an issue, and it will exist after Iraq is no longer an excuse." 32 per cent of respondents believe the war in Iraq has made the U.S. safer from terrorism, while 24 per cent believe it has had the opposite effect.

Polling Data

Should the United States troops stay in Iraq as long as it takes to make sure Iraq is a stable democracy, even if it takes a long time, or should U.S. troops leave Iraq as soon as possible, even if Iraq is not completely stable?

As a result of the United States' military action against Iraq, do you think the United States is more safe from terrorism, less safe from terrorism, or hasn't it made any difference?