|
Regional Issues >> Conflict With
Iraq
Conflict With Iraq
[Last
Revised: October 23, 2002]
Disarmament Through Inspections
A majority of Americans favors trying to achieve Iraqi
disarmament through the process of UN inspections, rather
than trying to achieve regime change, even though most Americans
have doubts about whether inspections would completely eliminate
the Iraqi threat. A strong majority favors the UN setting
a deadline for Iraqi compliance and authorizing the use of
military force if it does not comply. If Iraq allows in inspectors
but interferes with their work, a majority favors using military
force. A very strong majority thinks that it is unlikely that
Saddam Hussein will allow the UN to perform the necessary
inspections.
Taking Military Action against
Iraq
A modest majority of Americans say they would support a
ground invasion of Iraq. A stronger majority supports taking
"military action" against Iraq, but this appears
to reflect support for more limited actions than invasion.
Support is lower, often dipping below half, when questions
mention the possibility of US casualties, Iraqi casualties
and an extended troop deployment in Iraq.
Importance of Multilateral
Support
Only a small minority supports invading Iraq without multilateral
support-whether specified as the participation of allies or
UN approval. However with multilateral support, a strong majority
supports an invasion. Without multilateral support the public
is divided about whether to take more limited military action.
Congressional Authorization
An overwhelming majority says the President should get
Congressional authorization before taking military action
against Iraq and a very strong majority says it is necessary.
A majority opposes Congress granting the President's request
to give him the power to decide whether to go to war with
Iraq, but a majority would support Congress doing so on the
condition that the UN first approves the military action.
Concens About the Demands and
Consequences of War
Majorities are fairly pessimistic about the demands and
consequences of a war with Iraq. Majorities believe that a
war would be long, weapons of mass destruction would be used
against US troops, and that, after invading, US troops would
have to remain in Iraq for an extended period. As a consequence
of war, majorities believe there would be an economic recession,
that oil prices would go up, that the threat of terrorism
against Americans would increase, and that the Mideast would
become more unstable.
Relative Priority of
Conflict with Iraq
The problem of Iraq is seen as a high priority, but not
as high a priority as dealing with Osama bin Laden's terrorist
group al-Qaeda. About half say it is very urgent to resolve
the problem of Iraq, and a majority view the removal of Saddam
Hussein as a very important US foreign policy goal.
Iraq's Possession of
Weapons of Mass Destruction
An overwhelming majority of Americans believe Iraq has
weapons of mass destruction, and the ability and readiness
to use them against targets in the US. If disarming Iraq of
these weapons through an inspection process is not an option,
given the choice between dealing with this threat through
deterrence or preemptive military action, a majority chooses
the latter.
Iraq's Possible Links to
Terrorists
An overwhelming majority believes the Iraqi government
is actively involved in supporting terrorists, though the
public seems unsure if it is connected to the September 11
attacks. Iraq's possible links to terrorism and September
11 appear to play a minor role in justifying support for military
action among the general population. However, belief in the
link between Saddam Hussein and September 11 plays a critical
role for a significant minority, such that without it there
might not be majority support for military action. If new
evidence were established showing links between Iraq and terrorist
groups, this would substantially increase support for military
action.
General Attitudes Toward Iraq
Most Americans take an extremely dim view of Iraq-probably
more so than of any other country. Overwhelming majorities
believe the US has a vital interest in what happens in Iraq
and see the US as threatened by Iraq. A strong majority continues
to support economic sanctions on Iraq.
|
