New poll shows Americans see Saudi Arabia, Syria and Iran supporting terror

centerforsecuritypolicy ^ | May 22, 2003 | centerforsecuritypolicy

[TLBSHOW]

New poll shows Americans see Saudi Arabia, Syria and Iran supporting terror

A suicide bombing destroys a compound for Westners in Saudi Arabia. Americans don't think the Saudis are on our side in this war. Recent polling data from ARNSI (Alliance for Research on National Security Issues) – a joint project of the Center for Security Policy and the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies – reveals that a majority of Americans view Iran, the Palestinian Authority, Syria, Saudi Arabia, Libya and North Korea as supporters of Al Qaeda or other international terrorist groups. Out of nine countries and the United Nations, Americans overwhelming viewed Great Britain as the United States’ most reliable ally in the war against terrorism, with Canada, Spain and Israel closely behind.

Respondents saw Saudi Arabia, however, as the most unreliable ally behind France, Germany, Russia, Pakistan and the UN.

Dr. Gary Tobin, Executive Director of ARNSI, noted that “despite an energetic public relations and advertising campaign, a decreasing number of Americans view the Saudis the way they describe themselves, as America’s ‘allies’ in the war on terrorism. Instead, more and more see Saudi Arabia as part of the problem, along with Syria, Iran and Arafat.”

The poll showed that America’s view of Saudi Arabia as a reliable ally has fallen over four percentage points since the beginning of the year

[TLBSHOW]

Trails Lead to Saudis

http://www.nationalreview.com/comment/comment-epstein052103.asp

[SpaceBar]

...a majority of Americans view Iran, the Palestinian Authority, Syria, Saudi Arabia, Libya and North Korea as supporters of Al Qaeda or other international terrorist groups

A few points here. First, I hold most polls to be meaningless drivel. Anyone who'se had an introductory level statistics class knows that sample populations can be skewed, questions misleading, or a zillion other ways to tilt it towards the favor of the poller. No one ever asked me what countries I'd stick on that list. Aside from the ones mentioned I'd say most of the countries in Africa, most of western Europe, most of Asia, a great majority of countries in North and South America, and probably parts of Oceania. My guess is that little or no terrorism activity takes place on Antarctica.

[LS]

Isn't it interesting that Bush and Rummy and Powell have not had to do a big "psych" job on the American public for these conclusions. The people are coming to these conclusions for themselves. I think all the administration is doing is leaking some chewy morsels to the press, which is taking it from there.

This is important because I don't think if Bush went to the public right now and said, "We need to go into ____ (fill in the blank, Iran, Syria, SA)" he would get much support. But if the people come to these conclusions, then it will appear that he has been "pressured" by the public to act---and while it will never eliminate the anti-war kooks, it will certainly deflate claims that Bush has "pushed us into another war."

[Cicero]

Well, polls may often be meaningless, but that's a pretty good list of states that support terrorism. I imagine that the average American thought that the Saudis were our allies in 2001, but that the average American no longer sees them in that light, in spite of their massive PR advertising campaigns.

[Dog Gone]

Americans overwhelming viewed Great Britain as the United States’ most reliable ally in the war against terrorism, with Canada, Spain and Israel closely behind.

Obviously, this poll is worthless.

[swarthyguy]

The American people are ahead of the gubmint on this one.

[Harmless Teddy Bear]

Canada is still family. It's a more sorrow then anger sort of thing. And they haven't publicly done anything as bad as the french.

Things could change though.

[McGavin999]

I was thinking the same thing. How did Canada get on the list of those helping fight terrorism? Their wide open borders are big dangers to the US.

[Dog Gone]

No, but I'd certainly rank Canada behind Australia, Spain, Italy, Poland, Denmark, and Kuwait.

Canada ranks about even with Germany, frankly. I think they're about tied in the insult department.