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More and more, the American public opinion appears to be straying away from the course that the US Administration would want. Soon after the invasion of Iraq by the coalition forces, Bush administration officials often fell back to figures that cited high approval rating of the administration's policies among people. This remains no longer.
According to recent reports, the disillusionment of the American people with the war is fast growing.
This is amply reflected in gallop polls that demonstrate decelerating support for the Bush administration as it continues to pursue the war with its disproportionate force and tactics.
The polls indicate a massive slide in support for President Bush's Iraq policies. From a peak of 70 per cent of Americans supporting President Bush's stand on the Iraq war some months ago, the same support has dwindled down to some 30 per cent only as suggested by the latest polling.
Clearly, the poll results should sensitise the US administration. A war, wherever it is conducted, must enjoy endorsement among the population who are to make all the sacrifices for its continuation. If this support is found seriously lacking, then it becomes a partisan war waged in the interest of a ruling coterie. It then also becomes undemocratic for not having the democratic sanctions of the people.
One explanation for the rising aversion of Americans with the war is not linked to the number of casualties . Human lives are precious and Americans highly value the lives of their own.
But Americans were not unknown to endure high casualties in times of war they considered as just and in conformity with their cherished ideologies.
Thus, the growing unpopularity of the Iraq war among Americans stems considerably from the fact that this war looks devoid of ideology that Americans can appreciate and understand. Rather, the dissenting Americans are starting to be convinced that the conduct of the war in this manner will only lead the US to a very undesirable quagmire and tarnish its image on a long standing basis.
Afzal Ahmed
Gulshan,
Dhaka
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