3 Attachment(s)
US popular attitudes - December 2009 Pew Poll
The December 2009 Pew-CFR (Council on Foreign Relations) Poll examined the attitude of USAians to various foreign affairs issues.
Here is a general article on the poll, Op-Ed: Turning Away, Author: James M. Lindsay, Senior Vice President, Director of Studies, and Maurice R. Greenberg Chair:
Quote:
December 17, 2009
Baltimore Sun
As President Barack Obama moves ahead with his plan to send more U.S. troops to Afghanistan, his overall approach to foreign policy looks to be losing favor with the American public. ...
Pew's Overview of its poll is here, U.S. Seen as Less Important, China as More Powerful - Isolationist Sentiment Surges to Four-Decade High (3 Dec 2009):
Quote:
Overview
The general public and members of the Council on Foreign Relations are apprehensive and uncertain about America’s place in the world. Growing numbers in both groups see the United States playing a less important role globally, while acknowledging the increasing stature of China. And the general public, which is in a decidedly inward-looking frame of mind when it comes to global affairs, is less supportive of increasing the number of U.S. troops in Afghanistan than are CFR members. ....
The entire 122 page poll report is here, AMERICA’S PLACE IN THE WORLD 2009.
Answers to the specific questions relevant to this thread are found at p. 18 pdf, "U.S. Leadership Role":
Attachment 1253
and "Fewer See U.S. as Important Leader":
Attachment 1254
but "Most Favor Keeping U.S. as Only [Military] Superpower":
Attachment 1255
Now as to Iran (which was regarded as the greatest danger to the US by 21% of the public - the highest figure for any potential enemy p. 26 pdf), at p.2 pdf:
Quote:
Using Force in “What if” Scenarios
A majority of the public approves of using U.S. military forces in several international situations. More than six-in-ten (63%) approve of using U.S. forces if it were certain Iran had produced a nuclear weapon while less than a third (30%) disapprove. Opinion among CFR members is nearly the opposite; only 33% approve of using force in this situation while 61%disapprove.
The answers to this poll (as with any poll) depends on the questions asked; and the answeree's perception of the questions asked.
Regards
Mike