… Third, the impact of public opinion is worth pondering, as lawmakers start pointing to the unpopularity of punitive strikes against Syria to justify their opposition. Two findings from Adam Berinsky’s work (both in his book, In Time of War, and in a recent article) are relevant on this score. […] Read more »
Do Americans want U.S. Intervention in Syria? What the Polls Really Mean
With the Obama administration contemplating an air strike against Syria for its alleged use of chemical weapons, several news stories have suggested the American public would be against such action. But, as usual, the polls that underlie these conclusions are highly misleading. The truth is the public is highly unengaged […] Read more »
60% of British public oppose UK military action against Syria
Almost three times as many people oppose the UK taking part in military action against Syria as those who favour doing so, according to a special Opinium/Observer poll. The survey straddled the period immediately before and after last Thursday night’s House of Commons vote, which saw David Cameron defeated in […] Read more »
War-Weariness
… An NBC News poll released Friday found that while 58 percent of Americans believe that the use of chemical weapons by any country is a “red line” requiring a significant United States response, including military action, only 42 percent believe that we should take such action in Syria and […] Read more »
Republicans Supported Attacking Syria, Now They Don’t. Guess Why
For decades, Republicans have been more supportive than Democrats of an interventionist foreign policy. Surveys conducted earlier this year showed that Republicans were consistently more likely than Democrats to support striking Syria if Assad used chemical weapons. But partisanship is powerful in the age of President Obama, powerful enough to […] Read more »
Nearly 80 percent want congressional approval on Syria
Nearly 80 percent of Americans believe President Barack Obama should receive congressional approval before using force in Syria, but the nation is divided over the scope of any potential strike, a new NBC News poll shows. Fifty percent of Americans believe the United States should not intervene in the wake […] Read more »