Poll: US Government Offering Too Much Financial Support to Syria

Online, April 9, 2013 (Newswire.com) - As the Syrian uprising reached its two-year anniversary-with over 70,000 dead, 1.1 million displaced and no end in sight- MPO Research Group asked Americans how they feel about the support being provided to Syria. The survey found that most Americans think the US should provide less than the government has pledged. Secretary of State John Kerry announced a pledge of non-lethal aid (such as food and medical supplies) to support the Syrian rebel groups fighting against the Assad government.

The survey found that only about one fifth of Americans support the current scheme of humanitarian aid plus non-lethal aid. Most would prefer to offer less support: over a third say the US should be providing nothing more than humanitarian aid to civilians while another fifth do not think that the country should be providing any financial aid to Syria. About a fifth of Americans say the US should be offering arms to the opposition.

With less than half of the country supporting anything more than humanitarian aid to Syria, legislators may have an uphill battle ahead of them as ideas are put forth on resolving the Syria crisis. Currently being considered is a bill put forth by Senators Marco Rubio (Florida, Republican) and Bob Casey (Pennsylvania, Democrat) that would provide additional support for Syrian civilians, levy further sanctions against the government and also provide non-lethal equipment (such as communications and body armor) and military training to opposition groups. The bill also leaves the door open for further intervention later on down the road.

While the bill was proposed by senators from both sides of the aisle, the Democrats and Republicans polled differ in opinion on what to do about Syria. For instance, Democrats are more in favor of the options with no arms support than are Republicans or Independents. Republicans and Independents are more likely to think that the US should not provide any funding to Syria.

Read the full report at www.mpopost.com or email [email protected] for more details.