Americans Split On Military Effort In Iraq, But Most Acknowledge Positive Outcomes
BY IBD STAFF
Investor's Business Daily
Americans may not see eye-to-eye with President Bush on all issues, but a majority believe that the U.S. military action in Iraq will lead to a more democratic — and by extension freer — Middle East, according to the latest IBD/TIPP Poll.
Conducted June 6-10 among 913 adults, the poll found nearly two of every three (60%) think America's foray into Iraq has helped sow the seeds of democracy in the Middle East. Among Republicans, that number jumps up to 87%. Even large numbers of Democrats (44%) and independents (53%) agree with that sentiment.
"Most Americans see a democratic Middle East as one positive outcome of the Iraq War," said Raghavan Mayur, president of TIPP, a unit of TechnoMetrica Market Intelligence, IBD's polling partner.
What's more, a large majority (70%) also believe it's important for the U.S. and coalition countries to maintain a military presence in Iraq.
IBD/TIPP asked Americans about some of the roles that the U.S. should take on in Iraq. The results show the generosity of the average citizen. Eighty-four percent believe that it's important for the U.S. and coalition countries to continue to train Iraqi security and police forces, 79% think it's important to provide Iraq with economic aid and 74% think it's important to rebuild Iraq's infrastructure.
Beyond Iraq, experts believe that the U.S. expedition to root out terrorists in Afghanistan and neutralize Saddam Hussein's offensive biological and chemical weapons capabilities have been a wake-up call for other rogue nations.
Softer Stance
"Since the Iraq War, nations like Libya, Syria and others in the Middle East have taken a softer stance towards America and the fulfillment of international obligations," said Mayur.
Last week, he noted, a Jordanian military court ordered Jordanian-born terrorist Abu-Musab al-Zarqawi, along with conspirator Mohammed Qteishat, to surrender within 10 days. They're facing charges of plotting deadly terrorist attacks in Jordan that killed one person.
"Moreover, even though high-profile targets like bin Laden and al Zarqawi are still on the loose, the global terror complex has sustained serious damage," Mayur says.
Most Americans agree. According to the poll, 57% agree that the Iraq War has "dealt a significant blow to terrorist networks worldwide." More than twice as many Republicans see things this way than Democrats (87% vs. 39%).
And while countries like Iran and North Korea have not come around to the U.S. perspective, the deployment of American military forces, as well as a resolute diplomatic stance, are helping to keep negotiations alive.
The IBD/TIPP Poll uncovered a similar sentiment among Americans, with just 46% agreeing with the statement that the Iraq War has "helped rein in regimes like Iran and North Korea."
But the Iraq War will likely have a far-reaching impact on U.S. prestige abroad. Far from tarnishing the nation's image, a large share of Americans believe that it has enhanced the U.S.' strategic position in the Asia-Pacific region (47%), while 44% do not agree.
According to Mayur, "countries like Japan, the Philippines, Pakistan and South Korea have all formed closer partnerships with the United States to clamp down on terrorism and have provided support of one form or another to America's forces in Iraq."
Since the end of the Cold War, U.S. strategy has been to ensure stability both regionally and globally.
"Tactically, this has meant many things, including anti-proliferation efforts vis-a-vis WMDs and the neutralization of terrorist network, who even in the pre-9-11 world made it a habit of attacking America's forward-deployed military forces. Bush has pursued both of these areas with determination and unmatched vigor," said Mayur.
Glass Half-Empty?
Although much good has come out of the Iraq War, the media have repeatedly viewed it as a half-empty glass. Perhaps that's why, when we asked if "U.S. efforts in Iraq are helping to make the world a safer place or not?" 46% said yes and 49% said no.
Nearly half (49%) are satisfied with the Bush administration's Iraq policies and 42% are not satisfied.
However, Americans do think the war is causing higher prices at the gas pumps. In fact, just 32% would say that the Iraq War has helped stabilize the world's oil supplies.
In retrospect, the nation is evenly split in terms of its support or opposition for the U.S. military action in Iraq that took place in April of 2003 (48% support, 49% oppose). Support is strongest among Republicans (84%) and weakest among Democrats (21%).
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