The Foreign Policy Bright Spot

YouGov
January 07, 2011, 7:01 PM GMT+0

Americans do see positive change coming --- but the change will happen far from the country's shores, and will mean fewer U.S. troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. 59% in the latest Economist/YouGov Poll expect the U.S. to have fewer troops in Iraq at the end of 2011 than it has today; 38% expect to see fewer troops in Afghanistan. Far fewer think the number of troops in either country will increase by the end of the year.



Last January, a majority thought there would be a troop increase in Afghanistan in 2010 (something President Obama promised); fewer than half expected a drawdown in Iraq.

There is also some decrease in worry about a terrorist threat. 35% do expect the threat of terrorism to increase in 2011, but that is down from last year, when 49% thought it would increase. Although only 8% expect the threat to decrease, most see no change.


Republicans continue to worry more about a terrorist threat. 58% of them expect it to increase in 2011.

Explore more data & articles