Most Americans support co-operating with the Russian military to fight ISIS
At the end of September Russia dramatically escalated its involvement in the Syrian Civil War by launching air strikes in the country. Unlike American and Western forces, however, the air strikes are not just targetting ISIS but, rather, all opponents to the Assad government. The Russian government has said that it is willing to cooperate with the United States in the fight against ISIS, but the Obama administration has ruled out US-Russian military cooperation.
YouGov's latest research shows that most Americans (54%) believe that the United States should work with the newly arrived Russian forces to battle ISIS. Only 16% of Americans disapprove of the unlikely prospect of US-Russian military cooperation in Syria. Support for cooperating with Russia is highest among Republicans (62%).
Republican support for cooperating with Russia is likely a reflection of broader Republican support for America's ongoing air campaign against ISIS as well as their support for sending troops to Iraq and Syria to fight ISIS.
Air strikes against ISIS are widely supported by the public, with 64% of Americans in favor of them, but support is much lower for sending ground troops. Only 35% of Americans support sending troops, while 40% oppose it. Only Republicans (59% to 21%) tend to support sending troops while independents (42% to 28%) and especially Democrats (52% to 26%) are opposed to boots on the ground.
When Americans were asked broadly about whether American policy in the Middle East since 9/11 has been a success or a failure, a large majority of Americans (61%) say that American policy there has been a failure. Only 13% of Americans see US policy over the past 14 years there as a success.
Full poll results can be found here and topline results and margin of error here.
