It's been a great "New American Century" hasn't it? All seven years of it. Thanks Mr. Kristol & fellow PNACers.

Now go fuck yourselves.

Fewer think US adequately thwarting terror

By ALAN FRAM, Associated Press WriterWed Oct 24, 12:41 AM ET

Fewer people think the U.S. is adequately thwarting terrorists, meeting its objectives in Iraq or achieving other goals overseas, according to a poll that shows a deepening skepticism about the country's foreign policy.

The survey also shows people in the U.S. have flagging hopes that a range of strategies and policies — from improving intelligence operations to showing more respect for other countries — can do very much to keep the nation safe.

"We are reaching a point where the public seems to be questioning not just whether current policies are working, but whether the United States can have an effective foreign policy at all," said a report accompanying the survey, conducted in the U.S. last month for Public Agenda, a nonpartisan public policy group, and the journal Foreign Affairs.

The poll also found little taste for a military confrontation with Iran, though there was slightly more interest than earlier this year. Tensions with Tehran have risen over its nuclear program and aid to fighters opposing U.S. troops in Iraq.

Sixty-five percent said they preferred economic or diplomatic moves against Iran, compared to 19 percent who favored military action or threats. When the question was asked in March, 13 percent chose threatened or actual military steps.

The public's increased militancy might reflect that the poll was conducted during Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's recent visit to New York and the U.N., when he received a mix reception, the report said.

...

By 65 percent to 28 percent, people said the U.S. should rely more on diplomatic and economic efforts, rather than military might, to combat terrorism, numbers that were virtually unchanged from two years ago.

The survey also found:

_Most think global cooperation can reduce global warming, but also doubt the U.S. can keep other countries from getting nuclear weapons or keep oil supplies stable and reasonably priced.

_Sixty-four percent said they think the rest of the world sees the U.S. negatively, including 30 percent who said very negatively.

_Seventy-nine percent said the world has become more dangerous for the U.S.

_A quarter said the U.S. is doing a good or excellent job making the world more peaceful.

_People ranked the Middle East as the top U.S. foreign policy problem, with four in 10 choosing it.

The telephone survey of 1,011 adults was conducted from Sept. 17-27. It had a margin of sampling error of plus or minus 3 percentage points...[Open in new window]