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Americans Still Regret Going to War in Iraq
(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Most adults in the United States hold negative feelings about the coalition effort, according to a poll by TNS released by the Washington Post and ABC News. 60 per cent of respondents think the war with Iraq was not worth fighting.
In addition, 50 per cent of respondents believe the war on terrorism can be a success without the U.S. winning the war in Iraq.
The coalition effort against Saddam Hussein’s regime was launched in March 2003. At least 4,251 American soldiers have died during the military operation, and 31,000 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.
In November 2008, Iraq’s National Assembly ratified the Status of Forces Agreement with the United States. The document establishes that coalition combat forces will withdraw from Iraqi cities by Jun. 30, 2009, and will be completely out of Iraq by Dec. 31, 2011. The agreement can be revised if the Iraqi prime minister believes Iraq is not stable enough.
On Feb. 27, U.S. president Barack Obama discussed his plan to withdraw troops from Iraq, saying, "Let me say this as plainly as I can: By August 31, 2010, our combat mission in Iraq will end. As we carry out this drawdown, my highest priority will be the safety and security of our troops and civilians in Iraq. We will proceed carefully, and I will consult closely with my military commanders on the ground and with the Iraqi government. There will surely be difficult periods and tactical adjustments. But our enemies should be left with no doubt: this plan gives our military the forces and the flexibility they need to support our Iraqi partners, and to succeed."
Polling Data
All in all, considering the costs to the United States versus the benefits to the United States, do you think the war with Iraq was worth fighting, or not?
|
Feb. 2009 |
Jan. 2009 |
Dec. 2008 |
|
|
Was |
38% |
39% |
34% |
|
Was not |
60% |
61% |
64% |
|
Not sure |
2% |
1% |
2% |
Do you think the United States must win the war in Iraq in order for the broader war on terrorism to be a success, or do you think the war on terrorism can be a success without the United States winning the war in Iraq?
|
Feb. 2009 |
Dec. 2008 |
Jul. 2008 |
|
|
Must win in Iraq |
44% |
42% |
34% |
|
Victory not required |
50% |
51% |
60% |
|
Not sure |
6% |
7% |
6% |
Source: TNS / Washington Post / ABC News
Methodology: Telephone interviews with 1,001 American adults, conducted from Feb. 19 to Feb. 22, 2009. Margin of error is 3 per cent.