More Americans oppose U.S. military airstrikes in response to the Syrian government’s reported use of chemical weapons than support them, according to polls released Tuesday.
A Pew Research Center survey found that just 29 percent of Americans support airstrikes, while 48 percent oppose.
According to Pew’s poll, Democratic support was equally limited with 29 percent supporting airstrikes and 48 percent opposing. Republicans were more divided, with 35 percent supporting strikes and 40 percent opposing. And 29 percent of independents supported Syrian strikes while 50 percent opposed.
Nearly three-quarters of adults Pew surveyed said they believed that U.S. airstrikes would “create a backlash against the US and allies in the region,” 61 percent said they believe the airstrikes will lead to a “long-term military commitment,” and just 33 percent said such action would be “effective in discouraging the use of chemical weapons.”
Pew’s poll among 1,000 adults was conducted from Aug. 29 – Sept. 1.
A Washington Post-ABC News poll released Tuesday also found that most Americans oppose a strike on Syria, with 36 percent supporting launching missile strikes and 59 percent opposing.
Even if America’s allies were to participate support is upside down, according to the Post-ABC News poll: Forty-six percent would support and 51 percent oppose.
The Post-ABC News poll of 1,012 adults was conducted from Aug. 28 – Sept. 1.