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Thursday, November 7, 2024

Poll reveals limited support among Americans for increased US involvement in ongoing Ukraine and Gaza conflicts

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WASHINGTON — Amidst the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza, a recent poll conducted by The Associated ⁢Press-NORC‍ Center ‌for ⁢Public Affairs ⁣Research reveals that ‍a significant number of Americans are not in ‌favor of‍ the U.S. ‍taking a more⁢ proactive stance in resolving global issues.

Interestingly, the poll results show a ‍consensus among ⁢both Democrats and ‌Republicans, with‌ the⁣ majority agreeing that the‌ U.S. should maintain its current level of involvement in the conflicts ‌involving Russia and Ukraine, as ⁣well as Israel and‌ Hamas.

According to the poll, 40% of U.S. ⁤adults believe ‌that ‌America should adopt a “less active” approach in​ addressing global ‍conflicts. Only a quarter of‍ the ​respondents think⁤ the U.S. should be more involved, while a third believe the current level‍ of involvement is appropriate.

These findings ⁣highlight the complex dynamics that ⁣President Joe Biden and ⁣the potential Republican presidential ⁤nominee, Donald⁣ Trump, will have to ⁤navigate in the run-up to the election in November.

In ⁢recent times, the Biden administration has been increasingly forthright in urging Israel and⁤ Hamas to ⁣agree to a cease-fire that would last ⁢a​ minimum of six⁢ weeks. This would facilitate the release of numerous hostages‌ taken captive by militants during Hamas’s attack ⁤on Israel on October 7.

While a⁤ small number of ​U.S. adults from both‌ political parties want the country to adopt a more ⁤active stance, Republicans, ‍at 53%, are approximately twice as⁤ likely as Democrats, at 25%, ⁤to advocate for less active involvement abroad. About half (52%) ⁤of Democrats believe the U.S.’s current⁣ position is “about right.”

Many Republicans refer to America’s‍ history of intervention ⁤in countries like Vietnam, Iraq, and Afghanistan, which​ often resulted in bloody and futile ‌outcomes.

“We’ve been involved in numerous conflicts that never yield any positive results,” Kurt Bunde, a Republican from Idaho, shared with the Associated Press. “We may⁤ have‍ good intentions and feel obligated⁣ to protect our ​allies’ interests, but⁤ the outcomes speak ‌for themselves.”

The focus of U.S.‍ international military resources is also a contentious topic, with Republicans and Democrats disagreeing on whether the ⁣nation should ⁢be‍ more involved in⁣ the war between Ukraine and ‍Russia ⁤or the war between Israel and Hamas.

Only about 2 ​in 10 U.S. ‍adults believe the U.S.⁢ should be more ‌involved in⁣ each war. For each, about ⁣4‍ in 10⁤ think the current role is about right, and 36% believe ‌the U.S. needs to take a step back.

Republicans and independents are more likely than Democrats to suggest that the U.S. should reduce its⁤ support for Ukraine. About⁢ half ‌of Republicans and independents want the U.S.⁣ to be ⁤less involved in the war between⁤ Ukraine and Russia, compared to only⁣ 18% of Democrats.

Since Russian President Vladimir Putin initiated his invasion of Ukraine over two years ago, the U.S. has provided‍ $111 billion​ in weapons, equipment, humanitarian assistance, and other aid to Ukraine. A $95 billion aid package ⁤is currently stalled in Congress due to⁣ Republican​ opposition, as Ukrainian soldiers start ‌to ration‍ ammunition.

“America ‍is spread thin everywhere, and⁣ we need to prioritize our own needs first,” Matt Wood, ⁢a Republican ‍from ​Kentucky,⁢ stated in⁤ an interview. “If we have the resources available, then we can assist ‌other countries.”

Half of ⁣Democrats believe‌ the U.S.’s current role in the Russia-Ukraine ‍war is appropriate, and ⁣30% want a‌ more active role.⁤ Overall, Democrats are⁤ more likely to support ⁣U.S. intervention in Ukraine: Nearly 6 in 10 believe ⁢it’s very or extremely important for the U.S. to provide aid to Ukraine’s ⁣military to combat Russia or negotiate a permanent cease-fire between Russia and Ukraine. In contrast, only‌ 24% of Republicans​ prioritize more military aid, ‌and 41% of Republicans believe ⁤it’s extremely or ‍very important for the ⁣U.S. to help broker a permanent ceasefire.

“Given‌ our power and wealth, ‍I believe we have to take some responsibility,” Christina Taylor, ⁣a Maryland⁢ Democrat, said. “Decreasing our responsibilities or interest in other countries goes against the kind ⁤of country we are.”

Despite the usual bipartisan ​support ⁢for aid​ to‍ Israel in Congress, about 4 in 10 ‍Republicans⁤ believe ‌the U.S. should be less ​involved in ​the war between Israel and Hamas.

“I genuinely believe it’s not our business because it’s Israel’s war,”⁢ Donna Cole, a Missouri Republican, said. “The only role that the United States should have is to bring back any Americans ‍who are hostages.”

She added, “But ​we should ⁤not be‍ imposing restrictions on Israel or, for that ‌matter, on the Palestinians.”

About ‌half of Democrats believe the nation’s current ‍role⁣ in the Israel-Hamas ⁤war is appropriate, while the rest are divided on whether⁣ the U.S. ⁣should be​ more or less involved. Independents are slightly more ​likely‍ than members of⁢ either political party⁢ to suggest the U.S. should be less involved, and only 11% want the U.S. to be more involved.

There are‌ significant partisan divides on the type of aid⁤ that ‌the U.S. should provide in the‍ Israel-Hamas war. About one-third of Republicans ⁢believe it’s ⁤extremely or very important for ​the⁢ U.S. to ⁤provide‍ aid to Israel’s military to fight Hamas, compared to​ 20% of Democrats. Conversely, about 6 ⁣in 10 Democrats believe it’s⁢ extremely or very important for the U.S. ⁢to ​help​ negotiate a ‌permanent‌ cease-fire and provide humanitarian aid to Palestinians in Gaza, while 34% of Republicans prioritize U.S.‍ help with a⁤ cease-fire ‌and 15% of Republicans believe it’s important⁢ for ‌the ⁣U.S. to provide ⁣humanitarian aid.

Taylor, who is a ⁣nurse, said that the only active role ​the ‌U.S. should be taking in the conflict in ​Gaza is‍ pushing ⁤back ​on Israeli Prime⁤ Minister Benjamin ⁤Netanyahu and his government’s military response.

“We’re not doing​ enough to push ​the​ Israelis to lighten up a little bit because I ⁢think​ they’re overstepping,” Taylor said.

The poll, ‍which surveyed ​1,102 adults, was conducted⁤ from​ February 22-26, 2024, using a sample drawn from NORC’s probability-based‍ AmeriSpeak Panel, designed to be ⁤representative‍ of ​the U.S. population. The margin ⁤of sampling error ⁤for all respondents is plus ⁤or minus 4.1 percentage points.

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