Fox News Poll: Most Oppose US Military Action in Libya

Majority Opposition Across All Parties

The “fall of Tripoli” bounce appears to have been short-lived. While a single poll taken last week showed the months of opposition to the war in Libya had turned, magically, into support for the conflict (no doubt fueled by TV reports that the war was virtually over and a victory), the latest poll shows a return to opposition, and a strong one.

The new poll, by Fox News, shows that 55% of Americans, with a majority across both Democrats and Republicans and a supermajority of Independents oppose US involvement in the war in Libya. Only 30% supported the war.

Interestingly enough, with officials trying to spin foreign aid as a compromise to full scale military intervention, the poll showed an even bigger majority of Americans, with 64% opposition and only 25% support.

The return of the opposition is particularly encouraging at a time when UN officials are discussing “peacekeepers” on the ground, as it will likely discourage (at least to some extent) administration officials from jumping into the role of occupier when the opportunity inevitably presents itself.

Author: Jason Ditz

Jason Ditz is Senior Editor for Antiwar.com. He has 20 years of experience in foreign policy research and his work has appeared in The American Conservative, Responsible Statecraft, Forbes, Toronto Star, Minneapolis Star-Tribune, Providence Journal, Washington Times, and the Detroit Free Press.