A new NBC News/Surveymonkey survey (PDF) was released today revealing that two-thirds of Americans are worried about the possibility that the United States will become engaged in a major war in the next four years. 36% were “very worried” with another 30% “somewhat worried”. Only 8% of Americans polled were not worried.
The polls showed Americans relatively divided on the question of enemies, split roughly down the middle on whether Russia is friendly or unfriendly, and with a slight majority seeing China as friendly. 80% of those polled saw US membership in NATO as a good thing.
Interestingly, the split on Russia broke along somewhat political lines, with Republicans leaning 50-49 toward being friendly toward Russia, and 75% of Democrats believing that Russia is either unfriendly or “the enemy” outright.
A lot of the concern about major US wars would doubtless hinge on Russia or China, with the US among NATO nations deploying large amounts of troops along the Russian border in Eastern Europe, and Pentagon officials constantly hyping up tensions with China over maritime claims in the South China Sea
The poll also showed that while Americans are pretty divided on the question, 41% believe the United States should be “less active” in world affairs, with only 25% believing the US should be more active, and 32% saying the current level is fine.
They were also split almost down the middle on the use of military force against terrorism, with 49% believing that the heavy use of military force is creating more hatred leading to more terrorism.
That may be one of the most noteworthy beliefs among Americans, as this split is not reflected at all in America’s political leadership, where the election campaign has throughout the global war on terror rested heavily on both major parties trying to outdo one another in being more hawkish on terror.
The poll shows a lot of Americans don’t believe continued escalation is a wise course of action in the terror war, and that a lot are seriously concerned that America is heading toward a major war in short order, which may help the rare politicians trying to steer America away from the bellicosity fueling such conflicts.
The one thing Americans in the poll most agreed on was that “Americans are greatly divided when it comes to the most important values,” a belief which the rest of the poll seems to largely bare out, with a lot of the questions split closely down the middle, and a lot of major questions of the day very close to a 50-50 split.
What is a “major war?” We’ve killed hundreds of thousands, and destroyed whole countries. We’ve spent trillions doing it.
A major war would be one with nuclear weapons. Most countries like war as long as they are fought on enemy territory and are successful.
Exactly! And the positive aspect of it is that Americans in larger numbers are now fearing the possibility of nuclear war with Russia. Trump will disappoint on any results to lessen the risk but at least he’s somewhat responsible for Americans beginning to fear something at least?
Now, if we can encourage the logical step to take that is destroying the huge risk that has arisen, we will see some antiwar progress.
That huge risk is TRUMP!
Or..:
Russia bogeyman not working?:
http://www.mintpressnews.com/durans-alex-christoforou-treating-russia-bogeyman-failed/225175/
On the contrary Bob, half of Republicans and 3/4’s of Democrats see Russia as unfriendly or the enemy.
I believe this is a reaction to Trump for the most part but it would require the same poll during the Obama presidency to determine. However, it can’t be ignored that the only “real” promotion of peace with Russia was the Obama/Putin cooperation on Syria.
Another negative effect of Trump because this started way back during the campaign. Every time Trump pretended to promote friendly relations with Russia, Hillary promoted the oppositie. Not suggesting which came first, but just that it happened continuously.
And all for nought because once again, in my opinion there was never any sincerity in Trump’s words that hinted at promoting US/Russia relations.
Shows how ignorant/schizophrenic people are. They fear war but applaud our participation in NATO, the organization most likely to provoke the next world war. LOL. “The future’s so bright…I’ve got to wear shades.”
It’s not Nato that is most likely to start the next world war, it’s the US. Please come to understand that David.
I would suggest that in reality, the reason why the number supporting Nato is 80% is that Americans don’t want to stand alone. Or at least don’t want to have the appearance of standing alone.
Nato is only the US’s legitimizing org David, and it must be recognized as such. Until it is the facade will continue to pass muster and no progress will be made.
Little do most know right now. Feb 5, 2017 Trump’s New World Order
The new boss is starting to look a bit like the old bosses…
https://youtu.be/eLS5h1ZDKvE
36% of Americans very worried about a war in the next 4 years is a very positive improvement! That’s a positive spin-off due to Trump!
Most of the rest is pointing out divisions which are due to domestic political preferences.
However, worth mentioning is that 80% see membership in Nato as a good thing. That number says that Trump has virtually been ignored on his anti-Nato nonsense.
Not to suggest that Nato sholdn’t be abolished, but to try to make it clearer that Nato “won’t” be abolished. Americans need to come to terms with the simple fact that the US regards Nato as indispensible for it’s future and present war efforts.
A great piece though, with so much to debate. Hopefully Jason Ditz will leave this one up for a few days.?
Trump is in bed with the most rabid neocons. He is the opposite of an anti war candidate.
Personally, I’m not sure on that. I’m more of the opinion that Trump is so shallow that he doesn’t even know himself what he is. But he bound to fall into line with the pro-war crowd soon. It’s appealing to his need for power and it’s in opposition to everybody who promote a rational approach of caution.
How in hell can anybody still be thinking that he could ever promote peaceful relations with Russia? In truth he must see Putin as a small challenge to overcome. It’s just too obvious that he thinks he can negotiate US will on Russia. His flaming naivety with the offer of nuclear arms reductions on Russia’s part in exchange for sanctions relief should have told everybody the truth with the exception of the braindead!
Source: Reuters
President Donald Trump said on Thursday he wants to build up the U.S. nuclear arsenal to ensure it is at the “top of the pack,” saying the United States has fallen behind in its atomic weapons capacity.
I wonder, what would be the purpose of doing that? And especially, what would Trump imagine the purpose to be?
Is this another instance of Trump having a purpose or is it another instance of Trump speaking out without knowing what he’s talking about.
And considering that Trump has said that, is there any possibility of anybody still imaging that Trump’s agenda could have anything in common with our antiwar agenda?
Raimondo, does ‘this’ finally do it for you? Is there anything else that you could want to hear that would clinch the deal so completely?
Is this part of Trump negotiating with Russia? I believe it is Justin and it’s all of what he imagines a negotiation to be. The question is: Is this finally Trump’s attempt to put to bed the whole miserable issue of improving US/Russia relations? I think it has to be, because nobody can continue to connect the words of Trump with the goal you have imagined for him.
I predicted that Trump or those who think for him would kill the whole idea soon because it was being used against him and was so damaging to his real agenda. This has got to be it!
American Governments are scared of war with anyone that can fight back and bay for the blood of the women and babies when they can’t.