Troops Want More Boots on the Ground

According to a poll of American troops in Iraq, 53 percent said the United States should double its strength in Iraq and double the bombing missions. The poll, released Feb. 28, also revealed that 58 percent thought the reason for the U.S. mission in Iraq was clear. Other findings: 29 percent said U.S. troops should withdraw immediately; 22 percent said they should withdraw within six months and 21 percent within a year. According to military sociologist David Segal of the University of Maryland, the troops’ schedule for withdrawal might indicate they believe they’ve accomplished so much it’s simply time to go. The poll, by Zogby International and the Center for Peace and Global Studies at Le Moyne College in Syracuse, N.Y., attempted to scientifically gauge the opinion of troops in a war zone. Civilian surveyors conducted face-to-face interviews of 944 randomly selected service members at four bases.