Majority of Americans Believe Iraq Civil War is Likely [View All]

[ProSense]

Majority of Americans Believe Iraq Civil War is Likely

Washington Post-ABC News Poll Finds Sharp Decline in Optimism About Iraq War

By Richard Morin
Washington Post Staff Writer
Monday, March 6, 2006; 7:09 AM

An overwhelming majority of the public believe fighting between Sunni and Shiite Muslims in Iraq will lead to civil war and half say the U.S. should begin withdrawing its forces from that violence-torn country, according to the latest Washington Post-ABC News poll.

The survey found that 80 percent believed that recent sectarian violence made civil war in Iraq likely, and more than a third said such a conflict was "very likely" to occur. Expectations for an all-out sectarian war in Iraq extended beyond party lines. More than seven in 10 Republicans and eight in 10 Democrats and political independents believe civil war was likely.

In the face of the continuing violence, fully half--52 percent--of those surveyed said the United States should begin withdrawing forces. But only one in six favored immediate withdrawal of all troops from Iraq.


Snip...

The poll found that 56 percent also say the United States is not making significant progress toward restoring civil order in Iraq while 43 percent believe that stability is being reestablished--a 17-point drop in optimism since December and the most pessimistic reading on this question since it was first asked in June, 2004.

more...

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/03/06/AR2006030600369.html?nav=rss_world/mideast