(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - A vast majority of adults in the United States is convinced that an early retreat from Iraq could wreak havoc in the country, according to a poll by TNS released by the Washington Post and ABC News. 75 per cent of respondents think withdrawing U.S. troops from Iraq before civil order is restored would likely result in a full-scale civil war.

In addition, 72 per cent of respondents believe an early withdrawal would see parts of Iraq becoming a base of operations for terrorists targeting the U.S., and a further 72 per cent think the situation would allow Iran to take control of parts of Iraq.

The coalition effort against Saddam Hussein's regime was launched in March 2003. At least 3,493 American soldiers have died during the military operation, and more than 25,800 troops have been wounded in action.

In December 2005, Iraqi voters renewed their National Assembly. In May 2006, Shiite United Iraqi Alliance member Nouri al-Maliki officially took over as prime minister.

On May 24, the U.S. House of Representatives voted 280-142 on the Iraq supplemental spending bill, which approves $100 billion U.S. for the military missions in Afghanistan and Iraq. The Senate ratified the measure in an 80-14 vote.

On Jun. 5, former British ambassador to the U.S. Christopher Meyer called for a prompt withdrawal of all coalition troops from Iraq, claiming British and American soldiers are making the situation worse by staying in the country. Meyer said the conflict is "not worth" the death of "another single further British or American serviceman," adding, "The Iraqis are in fact sorting themselves out—often bloodily—independent of what we're doing."

Polling Data

Suppose the United States withdraws from Iraq before civil order is restored there. Do you think (item) would be very likely or unlikely?

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