Wednesday, February 8, 2012

The War on Terror is Over

With the withdrawal from Iraq and the short timeline for troop withdrawal in Afghanistan, America’s decade-long wars are drawing to a conclusion.  When combined with the military force reductions, it is clear that domestic concerns now trump foreign policy among Washington policymakers.

The public agrees with this shift in attention.  A new Pew poll shows Americans have long lost interest in and support for the two wars (a majority favor Afghanistan withdrawal – 56%).  President Obama’s performance rating of handling foreign policy (46%) and terrorism (65%) is much higher than job approval rating of handling the deficit (34%) or the economy (38%).

One area that the public expresses considerable concern is Iran.  Iran is now slightly ahead of China as representing the “greatest danger” to America.  Obama’s job approval on handling Iran is 48 percent.  Expect to hear a lot more about it in a presidential election year.

See Pew Research Center:

No comments: