Iraq Issues Destroy Confidence in U.S. Military Capability
The majority of those polled believe the United States has not only failed in Iraq and in Afghanistan, but also believe the United States is incapable of a successful military operation meant to free their homeland should an invasion take place.
Think & Ask mailed a questionnaire to 1,100 citizens in 12 industrialized countries in December 2006. Those countries were -- Argentina, Australia, Canada, France, Germany, India, Israel, Italy, Japan, United Kingdom, United States, and Sweden.
At this point in time, there were not vast differences in opinions between any of the nationalities questioned (respondents N=994 MoE+/-3) about progress in Iraq or Afghanistan. One difference emerged when asked whether the United States military would victoriously free their homeland from (a hypothetical) invasion -- respondents in the United States (32 percent) and Israel (31 percent) said yes -- but the majority across all countries felt the United States would fail to protect any country, including its own, from invasion.
Most remain optimistic for Iraq however that in 10-years time peace would eventually reign, which was not the case for Afghanistan where most felt peace would not develop.
The Situation in Afghanistan
When the United States and its allies invaded Afghanistan in October 2001 did you think the invasion would topple the Taliban and bring peace in:
6 months or less 37 percent
1 year 38 percent
2 years 19 percent
3 years or more 6 percent
Do you believe the United States and its allies will succeed in its mission to free Afghanistan from the Taliban and institute democracy in 2007?
Yes 21 percent
No 77 percent
Not sure 2 percent
In your opinion is Afghanistan technically experiencing a civil war?
Yes 61 percent
No 36 percent
Not sure 3 percent
Question is related to future 10-years out -- In your opinion will Afghanistan:
Eventually find peace 31 percent
Continue "as is" today 29 percent
Become worse than today 36 percent
Not sure 4 percent
The Situation in Iraq
Did you believe the United States had been victorious in Iraq when on 2 May 2003 President George W Bush stated the following?
"The Battle of Iraq is one victory in a war on terror that began on (11 September 2001,) and still goes on."
Yes 54 percent
No 37 percent
Not sure 9 percent
Those who chose 'yes' most often included residents from the United States (No.1) and Argentina (No.2,) but Canada (No.11,) and Japan (No.12,) disbelieved the statement most.
Question is related to pre-2003 -- In your opinion is Iraq:
Better off today 29 percent
Worse off today 43 percent
Not sure 28 percent
Has the United States succeeded in its mission to free Iraq's citizens from dictatorship and institute democracy?
Yes 17 percent
No 72 percent
Not Sure 11 percent
In your opinion who is primarily in control of Iraq at this moment?
1) Iraq's government 17 percent
2) The USA 11 percent
3) Fighters (also called insurgents by some) 26 percent
4) No one group or 'Other' 46 percent
In your opinion is Iraq technically experiencing a civil war?
Yes 77 percent
No 21 percent
Not sure 2 percent
Question is related to future 10-years out -- In your opinion will Iraq:
Eventually find peace 46 percent
Continue "as is" today 32 percent
Become worse than today 17 percent
Not sure 8 percent
Military Power in the United States
Hypothetical Scenario: Your home country is invaded by another. Should the United States fight the invader on your country's behalf are you confident that the United States would succeed ousting the invaders and restore peace on your homeland?
Yes 17 percent
No 81 percent
Not sure 2 percent
Those who said 'yes' by country:
United States 32 percent
Israel 31 percent
Australia 25 percent
Canada 23 percent
Japan 22 percent
Italy 19 percent
France 17 percent
Sweden 14 percent
United Kingdom 10 percent
Argentina 9 percent
Germany 8 percent
India 8 percent
The History Books
In your opinion who will historians claim is responsible for the fate of Iraq post-invasion by the United States?
President George W Bush 47 percent
Vice president Richard Cheney 34 percent
*Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld 11 percent
**United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan 6 percent
Other 2 percent
*Through November 2006
** Through December 2006
Did you think the White House (check one for each question.)
Had a plan for Iraq in 2003?
Yes 27 percent
No 66 percent
Not sure 7 percent
Has a plan for Iraq in 2006?
Yes 34 percent
No 58 percent
Not sure 8 percent
Had a plan for Afghanistan in 2001?
Yes 59 percent
No 35 percent
Not sure 6 percent
Has a plan for Afghanistan in 2006?
Yes 22 percent
No 74 percent
Not sure 4 percent
Those from the United States, Japan, and Australia had strongest opinions that the United States 'had a plan' in 2003 for invading Iraq, however opinions of Afghanistan and current state of both countries were similar with all respondents.
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