USA Today Article: "Poll: Americans split on Iran"

http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2007-11-05-iran-poll_N.htm?csp=34

A poll conducted by USA Today and Gallup on November 2nd-4th indicates that almost half of Americans think that the US should take military action to shut down Iran's nuclear program. Of the people surveyed in the poll 46% believe that the US should take Military action either now or if diplomacy and economic sanctions fail

Although approval ratings of George W Bush are currently among the lowest in US history and even in this specific poll 50% of those polled strongly disapprove of the president however this poll shows that the current neo-conservative government has been successful to a good extent in portraying Iran as a major threat to the American people.

Before September 11th most Americans were not interested in large scale military actions overseas even in special circumstances. However after september 11th which was the largest scale military action against the US on American soil since pearl harbor, the White House has been successful in winning the public's support for pre-emptive military actions on foreign threats in order to protect americans. In the specific case of Iran's nuclear issue the white house has gradually raised its tone and in each step has carefully orchestrated creating consent among ordinary Americans that iran is a major threat to the US that should be 'taken care' of one way or the other.

These polls are probably going to have minimal effect on Iran's nuclear policy however, since the current government of president Ahmadinejad believes that Iran should take a hard stance regarding this matter since the US is under no circumstances to take military action on Iran. Ahmadinejad's team believe that the US is stretched too thin militarily and is in deep trouble in Iraq and also that president Bush's rating are so low due to the Iraq war that under no circumstances will it risk undermining support for the Republican's party next presidential election candidate by attacking another country.

Whether the analysis of president Ahmadinejad's inner circle are correct regarding this very serious matter needs to be seen. However one can note that incase of miscalculations by either side on the future actions of the other is going to have serious repracautions for both nations.