Americans Back Use of Force Against Iran, Bush Still In Approval Stratosphere

[PLATO]

Originally posted by Sava
And I wanted the UN to fit most of the bill, not my tax dollars.

Didn't we all!

[GePap]

Regardless of right or wrong, the opinion of the public is likely to drive policy. Especially when it fits into the greater vision of a democratic nad peaceful ME that this President seems willing to impose.

This last war has shown that when it comes to foreign policy, public opinion is built after the fact, and does not actually drive anything vis a vi foreign policy, speically at a time when people are inclined to "let the admin. handle it". This admin. will do whatever it thinks best in Iran (not that I trust thier judgement one bit), screw the public. The problem is, given the track record of US intelliegence, I doubt a war with Iran is anywhere in the coming, since it would certainly need the support of the international community (more than the one with Iraq) and right now that ain;t going to happen, even form the Brits.

As I said, if Iraq is still an issue come next election, it will be a general negative for the admin., since Americans expect thier issues to be short and mindless when it comes outside of the US.

[PLATO]

Originally posted by GePap
This last war has shown that when it comes to foreign policy, public opinion is built after the fact, and does not actually drive anything vis a vi foreign policy, speically at a time when people are inclined to "let the admin. handle it". This admin. will do whatever it thinks best in Iran (not that I trust thier judgement one bit), screw the public. The problem is, given the track record of US intelliegence, I doubt a war with Iran is anywhere in the coming, since it would certainly need the support of the international community (more than the one with Iraq) and right now that ain;t going to happen, even form the Brits.

As I said, if Iraq is still an issue come next election, it will be a general negative for the admin., since Americans expect thier issues to be short and mindless when it comes outside of the US.

Generally I think you are correct. My point is that this post war public opinion could and likely will help drive Iran policy. At this point, international support would be as close to zero as you can come for military action.

While I also agree that Americans like quick solutions on foriegn policy issues, Iraq I believe is different. After a decade of saber rattling and a quick victory, I believe that Americans are willing to accept a fairly long occupation. The administration will need to set benchmarks and obtain them and then handle the press correctly.

[Urban Ranger]

Lets not forget Afghanistan.

Any mention of it in US media lately?

[monkspider]

Sad, sad, but a very interesting revelation of where, we, the American people, are. The wheels of fate continue to turn, a rather interesting time to be alive, indeed.

Look for something big to happen in mid-to-late August.

[Japher]

Well, being an American I can honestly tell you that:

83% of Americans think that Iraq and Iran are the same country...

[Eli]

USA! USA! USA!

Go Bush!

And dont forget about Syria.

[PLATO]

Originally posted by monkspider Look for something big to happen in mid-to-late August.

Such as?

[DanS]

Well, July 9 is the next milestone for Iran. The 4th anniversary of the big violent crackdown on student protests.

[TCO]

Originally posted by Urban Ranger
Lets not forget Afghanistan.

Any mention of it in US media lately?

It gets mentioned every now and then. What is your point? You don't think we should have gone in?

[Dis]

the attacking part always goes well

we're getting pretty good at taking over countries.

but we should swallow our pride and give them to the U.N. afterwords. Especially Iraq- which is a nightmare. I wouldn't have guessed Afghanistan would be a safer place for our troops than Iraq.

[Dis]

As for public policy influencing administration police, well the administration is hampered by reality.

Currently we are stretched too thin. There will be no attack of Iran, until we are done with Iraq. We just don't have the manpower.

[Eli]

You dont need to invade them... Just send the 20 B-2s to a couple of bombing runs directed on 5-6 targets and voila.

[JCG]

Iran's not going to be as easy as Iraq, mainly because the country isn't as divided/oppressed and the geography's much tougher, but obviously the USA would still win such a conflict by sheer force (which won't make it any less unnecessary, hasty and unilateral).

But well, if Bush wants to invade half the Middle East during his term(s), then let him try...just don't complain about the ever present daily/weekly casualties resulting from the subsequent occupation and increase in support for extremism and terrorism among the Muslim population.

EDIT: Just bombing them would pretty much still create some resentment, but certainly less so. That would be the lesser of the two evils.

[Japher]

We can't, or really shoudn't, do anything to Iran right now. We are way over our quota of Arabs killed this year, and if we kill some more I don't think that the word "Jihad" will be taken with such lackluster as it was in Iraq.