Poll shows most Americans oppose arming Syrian rebels

Pew Research finds that 70 percent are against Obama's decision to send military supplies to Syria

Published June 17, 2013 8:31PM (EDT)

A new poll by Pew Research shows that 70 percent of Americans oppose the Obama administration's recent decision to send some military aid to the Syrian rebels, with only 20 percent supporting it.

From Pew:

The latest national survey by the Pew Research Center, conducted June 12-16 among 1,512 adults, finds a major factor in overall attitudes about Syria is the impression that the U.S. military is already stretched thin. About two-thirds (68%) say the U.S. is too overcommitted to get involved in another conflict, and just 27% disagree. The public also has questions about the opposition groups in Syria: 60% say that they may be no better than the current government.

At the same time, the public does not reject a key argument for involvement in Syria: by a 53%-36% margin, most agree that it is important for the U.S. to support people who oppose authoritarian regimes.


By Jillian Rayfield

Jillian Rayfield is an Assistant News Editor for Salon, focusing on politics. Follow her on Twitter at @jillrayfield or email her at jrayfield@salon.com.

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