(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Many people in the United States would accept intervening in Pakistan in order to stop terrorism-related operations, according to a poll by Gallup released by USA Today. 52 per cent of respondents would favour military action in the country if intelligence confirmed Pakistan's government was not addressing the presence of terrorist operations on its soil.

Afghanistan has been the main battleground in the war on terrorism. The conflict began in October 2001, after the Taliban regime refused to hand over Osama bin Laden, prime suspect in the 9/11 terrorist attacks in New York and Washington. Al-Qaeda operatives hijacked and crashed four airplanes on Sept. 11, 2001, killing nearly 3,000 people.

At least 640 soldiers—including 418 Americans—have died in the war on terrorism, either in support of the U.S.-led Operation Enduring Freedom or as part of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) led by the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). 56 per cent of respondents would send additional troops to Afghanistan to fight al-Qaeda and Taliban terrorist operations, and 52 per cent would move American soldiers from Iraq to Afghanistan.

After the 9/11 attacks, Pakistani president Pervez Musharraf became an ally of the U.S. in the war on terrorism. U.S. authorities and intelligence analysts believe the Afghan-Pakistani border, where there is little state authority, remains a safe haven for terrorists to train and regroup.

On Aug. 9, U.S. president George W. Bush urged Musharraf to offer "full cooperation in sharing intelligence," take "swift action if there's actionable intelligence on high-value targets," and hold "a free and fair election" in order to improve his country's cooperation with the war on terrorism.

Polling Data

Suppose the United States had actionable intelligence about terrorist operations in Pakistan, and the Pakistani government was not taking action against the terrorists. Would you favour or oppose the United States taking military action against the terrorists in Pakistan?

Half Sample - Would you favour or oppose sending additional U.S. troops to Afghanistan to fight al-Qaeda and Taliban terrorist operations in that country?

Half Sample - Would you favour or oppose moving U.S. troops from Iraq to Afghanistan in order to fight al-Qaeda and Taliban terrorist operations in Afghanistan?

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